Agatized picture wood is a fossilized material formed when silica-rich fluids replace the organic structure of ancient wood, preserving the cellular pattern. Collectors look for distinct 'landscape' or 'picture' patterns caused by differential staining from mineral impurities like iron and manganese. It is highly sought after by lapidary enthusiasts for its ability to take a high polish and display striking scenic motifs.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Transparency

Opaque

fossilcommon

Agatized Picture Wood

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Opaque

Is this agatized picture wood?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch agatized picture wood with a known reference. Agatized Picture Wood sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Name the organism
Decide what left the fossil before worrying about the rock. Organism: Trees and tree-like plants.
3
Check the preservation
Preservation: Cell walls replicated by silica, here as agate (chalcedony). That controls the weight, the hardness and how the piece takes a polish.
4
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
5
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, tan, black, red, yellow, cream.

Often confused with

Agatized Picture Wood vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside agatized picture wood

Minerals reported to co-occur with agatized picture wood. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 6.5-7
Density: 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Tan Black Red Yellow Cream
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Opaque
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Cabochons, Decorative, Collector
Host rock: sedimentary deposits
Organism: Trees and tree-like plants
Preservation: Cell walls replicated by silica, here as agate (chalcedony)

Where rockhounds find agatized picture wood

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Arizona, USA
Madagascar
Oregon, USA
Indonesia
Wyoming, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: sedimentary deposits. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico. Start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for agatized picture wood →

More agatized picture wood photos

Common questions

How do you identify agatized picture wood?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. Organism: Trees and tree-like plants. Preservation: Cell walls replicated by silica, here as agate (chalcedony). Luster: waxy. Common colors include brown, tan, black, red.

Where is agatized picture wood found?+

Notable localities include Arizona, USA; Madagascar; Oregon, USA; Indonesia; Wyoming, USA.

Can I find agatized picture wood in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 agatized picture wood rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states. The top states are New Mexico.

What rocks look like agatized picture wood?+

Agatized Picture Wood is most often confused with Jasper, Chert, Chalcedony. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with agatized picture wood?+

Agatized Picture Wood commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Chalcedony, Goethite, Hematite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does agatized picture wood form in?+

Where it forms: sedimentary deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is agatized picture wood used for?+

Agatized Picture Wood is used in lapidary, cabochons, decorative, collector.

Find agatized picture wood on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.