Petrified wood in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines France: a unique experience at the 2026 Mineral Show
As you wander the aisles of the Mineral Show, certain pieces immediately catch your eye. A table made of petrified wood, a polished log with deep hues, a material that seems both mineral and organic… and curiosity naturally takes hold.
From June 24 to 28, 2026, the Mineral & Gem in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines will be the perfect opportunity to discover fossilized wood in a new light, right at the Goldstein Créations booth—a creator of fossilized wood furniture from Arizona that has been based in Alsace since 1993. Visitors will be able to discover unique pieces made from petrified wood crafted in the Haut-Rhin France (68).
Much more than an exhibition of fossils and minerals, this event offers a chance to discover fossilized wood in a completely different context: as a rare material, vibrant in its nuances, and now used for high-end decorative creations.
The Mineral Show: a must-see event for mineral enthusiasts in Alsace
The Mineral & Gem in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is one of France’s premier events dedicated to fossils, minerals, and natural stones. Each year, the show brings together exhibitors, collectors, professionals, and visitors all searching for a rare specimen, an astonishing material, or simply a beautiful find.
In the aisles, people take the time to observe, compare, and ask questions. This is precisely what makes this fair so special: the encounter with the material is direct, unfiltered.
In this world of minerals, petrified wood naturally finds its place. At once a fossil, a stone, and a medium for creativity, it catches the eye not only for its history but also for the decorative possibilities it offers today.
Why does petrified wood fascinate visitors to the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines exhibition so much?
Petrified wood intrigues at first glance. It retains the grain and texture of wood, but its material has become mineralized over more than 200 million years through a process in which silica has replaced the plant matter cell by cell. This natural transformation gives rise to colors, contrasts, and depths that are impossible to reproduce artificially.
When discovering a piece of fossilized wood from Arizona, visitors are often surprised by the material’s presence. The black can be intense, the reds deep, and the golden or brown hues almost luminous depending on the lighting.
What is also surprising is its use. Fossilized wood is not merely a collector’s item. Once selected, sawn, and polished—a process requiring approximately 7 hours of sawing per square meter, as petrified wood has a hardness of 7 to 8 on the Mohs scale—it can be crafted into a fossilized wood coffee table, a freestanding basin, a decorative slab, or a centerpiece for a high-end interior.
It is often at this point that the perspective shifts: the visitor no longer sees just a fossil, but a living material in the way it inhabits the space.
Petrified wood creations presented by Goldstein Créations at the Mineral Show 2026
At Mineral & Gem 2026, Goldstein Créations will present several new pieces designed to showcase the versatility of petrified wood in interior design.
Visitors will be able to discover, in particular:
- new sawn and polished logs, revealing the material’s natural patterns,
- inlaid coffee tables, where fossilized wood interacts with more contemporary lines,
- unique decorative pieces, chosen for their character and nuances,
- high-end creations in petrified wood, designed as true focal points,
- examples of custom projects to inspire other uses in the home.
Each piece is selected for its balance, structure, and decorative potential. Some stand out for their size, others for a mineral detail, an unexpected hue, or a particularly striking natural line.
You can also explore our petrified wood creations online, including petrified wood side tables and custom pieces such as custom-made petrified wood coffee table, or follow the journey of a creation, from the Arizona desert to our workshop in Spechbach-le-Bas.
Why seeing fossilized wood in person completely changes the experience
It’s hard to truly appreciate fossilized wood on a screen. A photo shows a color, a shape, and sometimes a sheen. But it doesn’t capture the material’s depth, the visual weight of a slab, or the way light reveals the details of the polish.
Seeing fossilized wood in person allows you to:
- observe the natural grain preserved within the stone,
- compare the nuances between different pieces,
- appreciate the actual dimensions and the presence of the material,
- understand how a piece can fit into an interior,
- discuss a custom project directly.
This encounter with the material is often a turning point. It helps you move from simple curiosity to a concrete vision: where to place the piece, what size to choose, which shade to go for, and how to create harmony with the existing decor.
After the trade show, visitors can also schedule an appointment at the exhibition gallery dedicated to fossilized wood in Spechbach-le-Bas, or visit the L’Écho du Temps boutique in Mulhouse, to further refine their project.
Discover fossilized wood in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines with Goldstein Créations
Mineral & Gem 2026 will be the perfect opportunity to discover fossilized wood in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in a new light: not merely as a fossil, but as a rare, sustainable material capable of transforming the atmosphere of an interior.
For several days, visitors will be able to explore the creations of Goldstein Créations, an Alsatian artisan specializing in fossilized wood, at the heart of the Mineral & Gem fair in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. This must-attend event for fossils and minerals brings together enthusiasts, collectors, interior designers, and project leaders from all over France every year.
Goldstein Créations will be located in the CT zone, at booths 12 and 13, to showcase a variety of creations made from Arizona fossilized wood: coffee tables, polished tree trunks, decorative pieces, and custom projects.
Practical information about the trade show:
- June 24–28, 2026: open to trade professionals,
- June 27 and 28, 2026: open to the public,
- admission fee applies,
- Goldstein Créations booth: CT Zone 12-13.
Audrey Gutfreund and her husband Laurent Barat will be on-site throughout the show to discuss the creations, materials, and interior design projects. No appointment is necessary during the Mineral Show.
To discuss a project, learn more about a specific piece, or schedule a gallery visit, you can also contact Goldstein Créations directly by email or by phone at 03 89 07 06 82.
FAQ – Petrified wood and the Mineral Show in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines
What is petrified wood?
Petrified wood is ancient wood that has naturally transformed into stone over millions of years. It retains the grain of the original wood but possesses the density and strength of a mineral, with a hardness of 7 to 8 on the Mohs scale.
Where can you find petrified wood furniture in Alsace?
You can find petrified wood furniture from specialized artisans, notably in Alsace at Goldstein Créations, located at 34 rue d’Illfurth in Spechbach-le-Bas (68720), in the Haut-Rhin department, which sources its pieces from Arizona and has been crafting custom furniture since 1993.
What are the benefits of fossilized wood?
Fossilized wood adds character, durability, and a very strong natural presence to an interior. Each piece is unique, making it an ideal choice for high-end decor.
How can you recognize petrified wood?
Genuine petrified wood can be identified by three main criteria: it retains the natural grain and lines of the original wood, it has the hardness of stone (7 to 8 on the Mohs scale), and its weight is significantly greater than that of wood (up to 2.5 times heavier, depending on the piece).
Can petrified wood be used for everyday purposes?
Yes, fossilized wood can be used in everyday life for a coffee table, a basin, a tray, or a decorative piece. Its durability makes it a material well-suited for long-term use.
Why explore fossilized wood at the Mineral Show?
The show allows you to see the material in person, compare pieces, speak with a specialized artisan, and better understand how to incorporate fossilized wood into an interior.
Where is the Goldstein Créations booth located at the 2026 Mineral Show?
The Goldstein Créations booth is located in Zone CT, Stands 12 and 13, at the Mineral & Gem Show in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, from June 24 to 28, 2026 (trade show), with public hours on June 27 and 28, 2026.
