Featured in this lot is a Holbrook, Arizona Triassic Period Chinle Formation Petrified Wood Collection. The petrified wood collection features wonderfully preserved specimens from the area that abuts Petrified Forest National Park, one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. The petrified wood in and around Petrified Forest National Park is part of the Chinle Formation – layers of sediment over 900 feet thick that formed between 200 and 250 million years ago. Researchers have dated the fossilized trees in this area to around 211 to 218 million years old, around the time of the Late Triassic. Although the fossilized trees are nearly solid quartz – typically a colorless, translucent crystal – impurities in the mineral can create beautiful colors. Inclusions of iron create deep reds and oranges; cobalt and chromium lead to blues and greens; manganese can result in vibrant orange and purple hues; and carbon can create a jet black color. Because of its colorful hues, the petrified wood in northeastern Arizona is known as ‘rainbow wood’ and is some of the most vivid in the world. The specimens are solid and rock-like with minimal fracturing. Interior patterns are strong and varied with concentric rings radiating outwards. Colours vary from crimson and rose' reds to amethyst and magenta purples to cloudy white and black, mustard yellow and olive green. The condition of this collection of petrified wood is well preserved with no artificial breaks or wear marks and shows a well preserved overall condition. The measurements of these samples range from 3" x 3.25" x 1.125"H to 5" x 7" x 3.75"H. Collective weight is 22lb 4oz.*