Permineralised wood

This is part of a lifelike permineralised fossil log from the Triassic Period of Germany. The tree is a giant sequoia. That alone is rare enough but there is one feature that makes this a truly MAGICAL specimen - the wood sparkles like a million stars at night, this is an amazing layer of druzy micro- crystals.

This speciman was found in a coal mine in Zwenkau, Germany, this mine is now closed and unaccesable, meaning thatprospect of finding any more of these amazing fossils is forever gone.

Petrified wood forms when real wood lies buried underground and its organic structure is gradually replaced with hard mineral. This petrification requires rapid burial of the wood to prevent normal decay.