Cherry (Prunus sp.)
Trout Creek Formation Miocene Bretz Mine airport diggings, McDermitt, Nevada ** A beautifully classic member of the Prunus genus from McDermitt's Bretz Mine Airport site. There are several features that really appeal to us. It has really nice definition of growth rings and a very pleasing pattern in warm shades of brown and tan. It is immediately obvious, even to a novice, that this is petrified wood, the kind that most people would love to find in the field, but few do! When our guests see our collection, we are surprised that they are often as charmed by the specimens that look like real wood, as they are by those with an abundance of color. And this is a perfect example! We generally identify the site where this wood was found as McDermitt, Nevada, which is both the closest inhabited place as well as the access point to the dirt roads leading to the diggings. However, the diggings are just across the border in Oregon (Malheur County) -- it takes a GPS reading to find that out. There are no signs on the dirt roads announcing "Entering Oregon." 5.5” diameter on polished face; 1/2" thick slab $59 |
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Conifer
Older Volcanics - Lower Miocene Trinity Range, Pershing County, Nevada. ** Extraordinary. This locality produced only a single tree - nothing else was found. It was discovered in early 2004 and completely excavated by the end of summer of that year. Slabs were brought to Denver by the cutter and word spread that they would be available only at the Main Show so we made certain to be at the door well before opening. We thus were able to acquire several of the very best specimens of complete round trunk slabs. This is one. The fire engine red color is absolutely superb (we do not enhance the color with our photographs as you know) and the locality is necessarily represented in only a few collections since there were only a limited number of slabs available. The tree was actually in an upright growth position and was excavated down to the roots which were not well preserved. If you are a collector who values having a maximum number of localities represented in your collection then this is a unique opportunity to obtain one if you are currently missing the Trinity Range - Pershing County spot in your catalog. And ... it is downright gorgeous. 16” x 8.5" on polished face; 9/16" thick slab $359 (and therefore immediately qualifies for our 10% discount on orders over $200) |
Conifer
Tertiary Pole Creek, near Brogan, Oregon ** Unique Find! Most of the pieces we have seen from Brogan are simply agate or chalcedony casts and, while fascinating, they do not have ascertainable structure. This slice is really quite unique for the area in that the cast is completely surrounded by a coating of very highly siliceous volcanic ash and surprisingly, also has recognizable tracheids in one very small patch of the specimen (please see our photomicrograph). But frankly, the part we like most about this specimen is the extraordinary aesthetic “punch." It sports amazing color and a stunning pattern that will immediately draw the eye of anyone looking at your display. After the inevitable question, “Is that petrified wood?” -- you can launch into the explanation of the unique features of volcanic ash and the difference between casts and permineralized wood (and the relative scarcity of those being found in the same specimen). A must-have piece for your collection! 4.5" in diameter on polished face; 7/16" thick slab $84 |
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Conifer (Pinales Order)
Tertiary Elko County, Nevada ** Here’s a complete surprise. There have been many specimens of wood from two distinct localities near Elko but this specimen is from a completely different locality than the two better-known sites. The digger did not divulge the precise location except to say it was “Elko County” and not from the known sources. All of the volcanic centers near Elko are Tertiary in age, so we are safe with that age estimate. This is a piece that can be described aesthetically as having understated elegance. The grays and browns are highlighted by some orange and apricot coloration. And, if you are a locality collector, this specimen will fit nicely into your Nevada collection. 6.5” x 5.5” on polished face; 5/8” thick slab $62 
Conifer (Pinales Order)
Miocene Congleton Hollow, South Fork Crooked River, Oregon ** This could have been one of those limb casts for which Congleton Hollow is understandably so famous but instead, nearly all of the wood survived and the agate ended up filling one large and several small cavities plus encircling the log with a lovely translucent periphery. We have occasionally seen part casts/part petrifications from this legendary site but this one is by far the most complete specimen in that category that we have ever seen. There is even a patch of green moss agate at the six o'clock position in our photo. Somehow the hot volcanic ash burned its way into this cavity of the log so that it was left empty to allow for eventual filling by the agate. What a fantastic specimen! It has excellent display aesthetics (and green!) in addition to the unique story that it tells. 6.5" x 5" on polished face; end cut varies from 1 3/4" to 1 3/8" $159 |
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