Minerals like iron, copper, and manganese cause the petrified wood to take on colors. Other minerals like Quartz will add to the color of the wood if they contain iron even though Quartz is generally colorless. Iron oxides usually give the wood a red, brown or yellow color. Green or blue colors come from the infusion of cobalt, chromium or copper in the wood. Black colors are the result of carbon or manganese oxides. Manganese by itself will result in a pink color and silica results in a white or gray color. It is common to find intricate details remaining from when the fossil was a tree. The petrified wood fossils can be so detailed that they reveal structures like tree rings and vascular tissues. |
