The geology of Sumatra and West Java Indonesia includes a vast petrified forest from the Tertiary period. Tons of petrified wood is recovered each year, as well as colorful common opal, plume agates and jaspers. Copper is present, particularly in the area around Garut regency, West Java, but native copper is uncommon and had not been found associated with petrified wood.
In late 2021 local miners in Garut uncovered a petrified wood log that had been replaced by native copper plumes in agate. This “copper log” was found in several sections and included some fossil wood remnants and exterior wood texture. The largest section was approximately 20kg. Native copper in petrified wood is very rare and to find a log filled with agate and dense copper plumes is a treasure.
We were able to obtain several smaller sections from the log. The material consists of a cast of a section of ancient wood that has been filled with a combination of porous matrix rock, preserved petrified wood of what appears to be an extinct tropical dicot, and pockets of bright native copper plumes encased in agate.
A wonderful piece for any petrified wood collection - it not only stands out in the cabinet thanks to the shiny copper, but also represents a very rare and potentially unique discovery of native copper in petrified wood.
Comentarios