Wood Fossil Opal
Wood fossil opal also called opalised wood is ancient organic material where the original wood structure has been replaced by silica over millions of years. The cellular pattern of the original wood is preserved in opal, creating a stone that is simultaneously a gemstone and a fossil. All material in this collection is natural Australian opalised wood, untreated.
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What wood fossil opal actually is
Opalisation of wood occurs when silica rich groundwater percolates through decaying wood structure, slowly replacing the organic material with silica over millions of years. What remains is a silica replica of the original wood, preserving cellular structure, grain and in some cases growth rings.
The result is unlike any other opal. The internal structure of the stone tells you it was once living wood.
Color in wood fossil opal
Not all opalised wood shows play of color. Much of it is common opal; translucent to opaque silica without the diffraction that produces spectral fire. The listings in this collection are selected for pieces that show genuine color play. Where a piece is common opal without play of color, this is stated in the listing.
Return to the boulder opal collection.