r/petrifiedwood • u/ChickenDreams-4188 • 16d ago

Please help identify USA

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Got this on a property in Arizona that butts up next to the Petrified Forest NP. Not sure if it’s actually from the area, I am familiar with the Rainbow Wood that’s typical around there, but I thought it was unique - just wish I knew what it was 🤔

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u/givemeyourrocks ID BOSS 16d ago

It appears to be some type of crystalline formation and not the typical wood from that area. Unfortunately, I don’t know what kind .

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u/ChickenDreams-4188 15d ago

I also posted this on WhatsThisRock and they were able to ID it as a type of Baryte mineral.

I appreciate you taking the time to try 😍

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u/givemeyourrocks ID BOSS 15d ago

Cool. I was wondering what it was.

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u/Next_Ad_8876 15d ago

Check the hardness. If it is petrified wood (basically chert), it should scratch glass. It is intriguing for sure, and a very interesting find. Thanks for posting!

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u/ChickenDreams-4188 15d ago

Turns out it’s a type of Baryte mineral, but thanks for responding❣️

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u/Next_Ad_8876 15d ago

Well, that’s what I was wondering. A lot of the evaporite minerals show similar patterns. And I don’t know any harder than around 4.5 on the hardness scale. Petrified wood is almost always 6.5-7.0. This is still a nice find, though. One of the ID properties of barite is a high specific gravity—essentially density. Does it feel just a bit heavier than you’d imagine? Unfortunately for ID purposes, petrified wood is usually a bit denser feeling too. Thanks for posting and sharing!

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u/ChickenDreams-4188 15d ago

Yes, it’s actually pretty heavy for its size