Page 39 - BSAM 2017 Q1

Collecting petri ed wood is relatively easy, as it is readily available in many places throughout the world. ere are sites in the United States in the Rocky Mountain region, in the southwest and southeast, as well as the Pacific coastal states where many good stones are plentiful. Petri ed wood is present virtually all around the world. Beautiful specimens have been collected in Germany, e Czech Republic, Hungary, Turkey, China, Mongolia, Indonesia, Australia, Argentina, Madagascar, Mexico, Japan and undoubtedly many more. Collecting in National Parks and another designated areas is illegal, so make sure to check your local laws. As you collect, take a serious look at petrified wood as potential viewing-stone material and you may be surprised.
Dr. Tom Elias published a hugely successful book entitled, Viewing Stones of North America: A Contemporary Perspective. A wonderful piece of petri ed wood graced the cover of the book. If you have not yet given petri ed wood a chance as a legitimate and authentic viewing stone, you should think about it. Go collect a piece rich in patina, great in shape and watch how much you enjoy it. Perhaps common and ordinary, but you are holding a natural piece of earth’s history in your hands. Do not overlook this type of stone. Petri ed wood is a legitimate viewing stone, that can add depth, beauty and artistic expression to any stone collection.
Worthwhile References:
Ancient Forests a Closer Look at Fossil Wood, Frank
J. Daniels and Richard D. Dayvault, 2006, Western Colorado Publishing Company, Grand Junction, CO.
Petri ed Wood: The World of Fossilized Wood, Cones, Ferns, and Cycads, Frank Daniels. 1998 Western Colorado Publishing Company, Grand Junction, CO.
Stories in Stone, David B. Williams 2009 Walker Williams Publishing Company, New York, NY.
Geology Underfoot in Yellowstone Country, Marc S. Hendrix 2011 Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana.
When Wood Turns to Stone, The Story of the Arizona National Petri ed Forest, K.S. Tankersley, 2014 Glendale, AZ. Little John Publishing.
About the Author: Paul Gilbert is an avid and enthusiastic collector of stones! He loves to nding stones in Colorado and the Big Horn Mountains near his home in Bu alo, Wyoming. He enjoys stones from all around the world and has a respectable collection of Japanese suiseki.
Figure 11: This gure stone has been wonderfully weathered with excellent patina. The gure appears as an image of an emperor in a long owing robe. Shown life-size, the stone measures 5 x 4 x 14 cm.
“Most petri ed wood is available to collectors because it is harder than the sedimentary rocks from which it weathers, thereby leaving lag deposits on the ground surface.”
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