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.
Is this agatized picture 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 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.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Agatized Picture Wood leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Agatized Picture Wood typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, tan, black, red, yellow, cream.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: pseudomorphic replacement of organic plant tissue.
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
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Pseudomorphic Replacement of Organic Plant Tissue
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Cabochons, Decorative, Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $5-50 for rough slabs or polished specimens
Where rockhounds find agatized picture wood
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Arizona, USA
- Madagascar
- Oregon, USA
- Indonesia
- Wyoming, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where agatized picture wood typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudomorphic replacement of organic plant tissue habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify agatized picture wood?+
Where is agatized picture wood found?+
Can I find agatized picture wood in the United States?+
How much is agatized picture wood worth?+
What rocks look like agatized picture wood?+
What minerals are found with agatized picture wood?+
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Find agatized picture wood on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
