Silicified pine cones are fossils where the original organic material of the cone has been replaced by microcrystalline silica, typically chalcedony or agate. Collectors look for well-defined, distinct scales and an overall symmetrical, cone-shaped geometry. These are commonly found in sedimentary layers where mineral-rich groundwater has gradually permeated ancient forest floors.
Is this silicified pine cones?
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 silicified pine cones with a known reference. Silicified Pine Cones 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. Silicified Pine Cones leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Silicified Pine Cones typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, tan, gray, white, black.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: botryoidal.
Often confused with
Silicified Pine Cones vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside silicified pine cones
Minerals reported to co-occur with silicified pine cones. 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
- Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Decorative
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen depending on detail
Where rockhounds find silicified pine cones
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Oregon, USA
- Argentina
- Madagascar
- Washington, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where silicified pine cones typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, agate in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Oregon — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find silicified pine cones on the map
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