Discover Araucaria, the petrified wood of Arizona

Petrified wood has a history longer than humanity. Each discovery takes you back more than 200 million years. This is particularly true of Araucaria, a fossilized conifer that is very common in Arizona. Discover its history and unique characteristics in this article.

A fossilized wood dating back to the Jurassic period

Part of the Araucariaceae family, the Araucaria has large scales and grows to a great height, up to 50 meters. It is better known as the “monkey’s despair.” It owes this name to its large, pointed leaves. Arranged in scales and prickly, they prevent monkeys from climbing the tree, causing them despair. This story is actually a myth, as there are no monkeys in the areas where this tree grows. Its appearance dates back to the Jurassic period. This variety of plant was very common on Gondwana, the supercontinent formed 600 million years ago.

Fossils discovered in a few places around the world (India, Africa, Australia, America, etc.) allow us to date their abundance to between 220 and 145 million years ago. The Arizona Araucaria is 220 million years old. Very rare, there are now only 19 species left, mostly in southern regions.

Araucaria, a petrified wood

Over time, and under the right conditions, plants become fossilized. This means that the organic matter they contain is gradually replaced by minerals. It is this mineralization that allows wood to survive for millions of years. It is also what gives it a hardness superior to that of diamonds. The combination of ash, water, and wood generally leads to the fossilization of wood. In Arizona, pieces of fossilized Araucaria are extracted from a plateau at an altitude of over 1,600 meters. It is a long and patient process.

Fossilized wood in a thousand colors: Rainbow wood

Petrified wood generally offers rich and brilliant colors. This is due to the oxides present in the soil at the time of fossilization, as well as the types of minerals that replace the organic matter. Thus, each tree will offer different colors depending on its history. You can obtain:

Fossilized Araucaria from Arizona mainly contains quartz, jasper, amethyst, agate, and other minerals. It is known for its rich colors, which have earned it the nickname “rainbow wood,” as well as its minerals.

Discover Goldstein Creations’ creations in fossilized Araucaria

Based in Spechbach-le-Bas (68), Goldstein Créations is the European leader in fossilized wood. The Goldstein Créations team oƯers unique creations thanks to their artisanal expertise. Would you like to visit our gallery and discover our creations in fossilized Araucaria? We are open Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information, contact Goldstein Creations by phone at +33 (0)3 89 07 06 82 or by email: Contact Goldstein Créations, specialists in Araucaria.