Agatized palm wood is a type of petrified wood where the original organic cellular structure has been replaced by microcrystalline quartz. Collectors prize it for the distinct dot-like or fibrous patterns visible in cross-sections, which are remnants of the vascular bundles of the palm tree.
Is this agatized palm wood?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch agatized palm wood with a known reference. Agatized Palm Wood sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Agatized Palm Wood leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Agatized Palm Wood typically shows a vitreous to waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, tan, gray, black, white, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Agatized Palm Wood vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to waxy on Agatized Palm Wood and vitreous on Wood Opal.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to waxy on Agatized Palm Wood and waxy on Jasper.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to waxy on Agatized Palm Wood and waxy on Flint Nodules.
Often found alongside agatized palm wood
Minerals reported to co-occur with agatized palm wood. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Strata
- Typical price
- $10-100 per piece
Where rockhounds find agatized palm wood
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Gulf Coast USA
- Indonesia
- Texas
- Louisiana
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary strata country, the host setting where agatized palm wood typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, opal in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Texas. Start trip planning there.
More agatized palm wood photos
Common questions
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Find agatized palm wood on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
