Petrified wood is a rare sight in the mountainous region of Nghe An.

(Baonghean.vn) - Under the action of lava and taking from several million to tens of millions of years, fossilized wood blocks are formed. They are not only used by collectors as home decorations but are also sanctified.It is believed to have the effect of curing many kinds of diseases..

A nearly 50kg block of petrified wood is being kept at the home of Mr. Bui Kim Phi (Kim Son - Que Phong) to be used as a support.

At the wood carving workshop of Mr. Bui Kim Phi in Que Son commune, Que Phong district, there is a rare fossilized wood block. The block, grayish-white in color, has been carved into a solid shape, but some areas still reveal the animal-like patterns of the wood grain, which has turned to stone and sparkles like quartz. The fossilized wood block is 60cm long, 40cm wide, 20cm thick, and weighs over 40kg.

The 22-year-old craftsman from Dong Giao (My Hao - Hung Yen), who makes fine wood carvings, said that the owner of the fossilized wood is a local resident. This person collected the fossilized wood from Quy Hop (Nghe An), a region famous for its white stone and fine art stone products.

Despite being carefully crafted, many of the wood grain patterns from millions of years ago are still visible.

According to experienced craftsmen, encountering petrified wood is a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck, as it is extremely rare. "I just made an extra pedestal (stand) and delivered it to the customer," Phi shared.

Typically, when encountering petrified wood, collectors of precious wood strive to preserve the wood as close to its original state as possible. They also select experienced craftsmen to create the sculptures. Afterward, these petrified wood sculptures are used by homeowners to decorate their living rooms, believed to bring good luck and longevity.

An aerial view of the million-year-old block of wood.

According to those who collect petrified wood, it is a miraculous product of "Mother Nature." It brings good luck and longevity to the owner. In addition, each type of petrified stone with different colors has the effect of curing certain diseases.

From a scientific perspective, petrified wood is created by volcanic activity. Lava eruptions from millions of years ago buried forest wood in a silica solution._2,It also takes between 4 and 12 million years for blocks of wood soaked in silica solution to become petrified wood. Some experts believe that high pressure is also a crucial factor causing these wood blocks to turn into fossils over millions of years submerged in silica solution.

Many curious people came to Phi's house to see and try lifting it themselves.

Lang Son province and the Central Highlands region are among the places where fossilized wood has been recorded in Vietnam. Fossilized wood is also found in many coal mines, with the largest reaching a diameter of 1.2 meters. Those who find fossilized wood consider it a stroke of luck and rarely sell it. A small fossilized piece is worth about 3 million VND. However, collectors of fossilized wood may spend tens of millions of VND to own a beautiful piece. The phenomenon of fossilized wood appearing in the mountainous areas of Nghe An is also considered rare.

The base of the petrified wood block when cut flat.

However, from the perspective of geologists, petrified wood does not possess the medicinal properties that are rumored. Its main component is silica, making it difficult to use as a remedy. Nevertheless, geologists also believe that petrified wood is a rare find, worthy of being considered a priceless gift from Mother Nature.

Vi - Phuong