Petrified wood by Jurassic Stone – Something Different
Extremely rare and exquisite pieces of prehistory unearthed by Oxfordshire-based Jurassic Stone.
Petrified Wood is a remarkable and fascinating phenomenon; a three dimensional fossilised representation of a tree, once living and breathing yet turned completely into stone by the process of petrification, which occurs underground when the tree has fallen and becomes buried. Over a long period of time, due to the lack of oxygen and a flow of mineral-rich watery sediments in the ground, all of the organic matter is replaced with minerals while retaining the structure of the wood; preserving it in its original shape but as pure stone with all of its magnificent detail including grain structure, growth rings, knots and bark.
Petrified Wood is semi-precious and has a Mohs hardness rating of 7, the same as quartz crystal.
Petrified Wood from Jurassic Stone Ltd is one of the finest examples, far older than many of the other petrified sites in the world, believed to date between 230 and 180 million years – from the late Triassic period, when the first true mammals and first flying vertebrates evolved through the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event to the early Jurassic period, the age of the reptiles when dinosaurs became increasingly dominant. So, Petrified Wood from Jurassic Stone Ltd originates from trees that stood tall as part of a lush tropical rainforest before even the first birds took flight.
Carefully excavated by local villagers to sustain vegetation and wildlife, Jurassic Stone’s Petrified Wood is unearthed from its own private land in the Black Sea region; cleaned, collected and delivered locally by traditional donkey and cart, then shipped to the UK. Here, the extraordinary rock is selected, lapped and polished to museum standards.
Where cellulose in the wood has been replaced entirely by silica minerals as it has decayed, many pieces of the captivating stone glitter with crystals and various coloured rays of opal are formed in its structure.
Unique and alluring showpieces are being created by Cathedral-trained and highly skilled expert stonemason and sculptor, Nicholas Bragg, who takes inspiration from the colour, formation, size and shape of each trunk, branch and block and enhances its glorious natural features using specialist hand tools to produce stunning individual works of wonderment.
It is believed that Petrified Wood has many mystical, spiritual and healing properties and is an excellent gem for leaders as it has become stronger as it endured the ravaging changes of time. As an energy grounding and protecting stone, it is said to calm scattered energies; generate feelings of well-being, safety and security; scare off evil; promote concentration and offer mental stability; encourage goal setting and provide strength and support as well as increase the enjoyment of and evolution within our lives.
The semi-precious stone is said to be physically beneficial to the skeletal system, skin and hair; relieves hip and back pain; stabilises general health; restores physical energy; extends life expectancy and helps with past life regression due to its inherent links with the past.
Adrian Brocklesby and Trevor Sheffield are partners of Jurassic Stone Ltd. Tile retail specialist, Adrian, said: “Petrified Wood is like nothing I had ever seen or touched before. It is a highly attractive, tactile and distinguished stone to be admired and with Nick’s expertise, we are able to produce superb one-off creations including impeccable table tops and have begun assembling an impressive collection of inimitable art sculptures that would grace the most prestigious homes.”
Trevor continued: “Before these trees grew, the land was made up of desert and molten lava so we are thrilled and very excited to present interior designers, homeowners and landscape gardeners the opportunity to own a precious piece of our Earth’s very distant past and more specifically, of the trees which preceded and enabled our very existence.”
Individual, original sculptures of the enchanting stone are set to be exhibited for viewing in galleries throughout the rest of 2012 with permanent collections at Nicholas Bragg’s Designastone workshop at Earlswood Lakes Craft Centre in the West Midlands and at Dream Bathrooms in Bicester, Oxfordshire. A sculptor’s certificate of authenticity will accompany each piece.
For further information or to arrange a private viewing, contact Jurassic Stone Ltd at [email protected] or call 01869 322191.
