SiS: OUTSTANDING COLOR 6" African Rhexoxylon Mirror Polished Slab RARE & ANCIENT

Description

This is a very colorful, complete cross section slab from the trunk of a fossil Rhexoxylon from Southern Africa.  It's one of the rarest of the fossil plants we've had the privilege of working with and this one represents a particularly nice example of the species.  The open cavities correspond with the softer growth structure of the plant with a large pith and the petal shaped vascular bundles surrounding it.  This ancient seed fern exhibits a structure that is not found in any living tree today, making it a particularly unique petrified wood fossil.  This slab has more balance and a more detailed shape than many found at this site - it's definitely one of the nicest we've had the pleasure of preparing in our shop.  We've lapped and polished it to a mirror perfect finish to produce a true museum or showcase specimen.  This one has more color than these typically do and is very highly silicified so it took a great polish.  One of my best, cleanest, and most detailed slabs.  We rarely come across this material and may never be able to acquire it again so don't miss the chance of adding one of these unique and amazing slices to your own petrified wood collection!
This unusual looking specimen is a Rhexoxylon from the southern portion of the African continent.  It was thought to be a vine like seed fern with a woody trunk.  It's very old (from the Molteno Formation -- Mid-Late Triassic).  This one has very nice cell structure in the unusual formations that make up the pattern within the trunk cross section.  The large hollow center is characteristic of the fossils most often found from this species, though occasionally one appears with the spongy structure of a soft pith petrified along with the rest of the plant.  These fossils are particularly rare and good solid agatized ones like this are a special treat for petrified wood collectors.  The wood has a very high silica content so we're able to coax a really nice polish out of the specimen.
This is one of the few complete rounds I was able to obtain from an importer earlier this year.  I hand picked the best specimens from the lot and then prepared them in my shop to produce true collector grade specimens. If the timeless mystery of this piece isn't enough for you, then I'm certain the simple, natural, gemmy beauty of it will be. The colors are high contrast and the wood grain is unique to this exotic species.
This round is cut from the center of a very solid log. It's really a nice piece, but what else would you expect from a business named "Sticks-in-Stones"?! We've applied all of our considerable lapidary skills to bring out a mirror finish and produce a specimen worthy of display in your own collection.
This nice medium sized specimen measures about 6 3/8" x 4 5/8" across the polished face and is about 0.44" thick.  Weight is 0.74 lbs.  Stands sold separately.
Sticks-in-Stones Lapidary
is happily providing UPS & USPS shipping to greatly reduce shipping charges on large rock orders. We will combine all of your purchases from our shop to bring you the greatest possible value in fine Lapidary & stone collectibles!