Description
Product Overview
This Polished Petrified Fossil Wood specimen originates from the famous Jurassic Coast at Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Dorset, UK. Recovered from the Lower Lias Black Ven Marls, this fossilised wood has been carefully prepared and polished to reveal its internal structure and natural detail. The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive, ensuring complete confidence and authenticity.
Discovered by our team members Alister and Alison on 07 April 2026, this fossil has been expertly cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to stabilise and enhance its natural features. The fossil includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its provenance and genuine origin. Please refer to the listing images for full sizing and scale.
Geological Context & Formation
This specimen comes from the Black Ven Marls of the Lower Lias, part of the Early Jurassic period approximately 200–190 million years ago. The Lower Lias is well known for its alternating layers of clay and limestone, deposited in a shallow marine environment along what is now the Dorset coastline.
Petrified wood from this formation represents terrestrial plant material that was transported into the marine basin, often by rivers or coastal erosion. Once buried within fine-grained sediment, the wood became isolated from oxygen, slowing decomposition and allowing mineralisation to occur.
Over millions of years, silica-rich groundwater permeated the organic structure, gradually replacing the original plant material cell by cell. This process, known as permineralisation, preserves microscopic details of the wood while transforming it into stone.
Fossil Type & Morphology
Petrified wood is a type of fossil that retains the original structure of ancient trees, often preserving growth rings, grain patterns, and cellular features. This specimen has been polished to highlight these internal characteristics, making the natural structure more visible and visually striking.
The surface may display fine linear grain patterns, subtle banding, or variations in tone that reflect the original biological growth of the tree. Depending on preservation, features such as annual growth rings or vascular structures may be visible, offering insight into the tree’s life history.
The polished finish enhances both texture and colour contrast, allowing the fossilised structure to be appreciated in detail.
Colour & Preservation
This specimen originates from the Black Ven Marls, which are known for producing darker-toned fossils. The petrified wood may display shades of deep brown, grey, or black, often with subtle tonal variations created by mineral replacement.
Silica mineralisation can produce a dense, smooth surface when polished, giving the fossil a refined appearance while maintaining its natural patterns. Variations in mineral content during fossilisation can also create slight differences in colour across the specimen.
The overall preservation quality reflects both the depositional environment and the careful preparation carried out after discovery.
Depositional Environment
During the Early Jurassic, the area that is now Dorset was covered by a shallow sea. Periodic input of terrestrial material, including wood, from nearby landmasses introduced plant debris into this marine setting.
Fine-grained clay sediments of the Black Ven Marls rapidly buried this material, creating ideal conditions for fossil preservation. Low oxygen levels within the sediment reduced biological decay, allowing mineralisation processes to take place over geological time.
This combination of marine deposition and terrestrial input makes petrified wood from this formation particularly interesting, representing a link between land and sea ecosystems during the Jurassic period.
Collection & Preparation
This fossil was personally discovered by Alister and Alison on 07 April 2026 along Stonebarrow Cliff, a well-known fossil locality on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Following discovery, the specimen was cleaned, stabilised, and carefully polished by Alison to reveal its natural structure while preserving its integrity.
The preparation process ensures that the fossil is both visually appealing and suitable for long-term display.
Display & Collecting Appeal
Polished petrified wood specimens are highly valued for their combination of natural history and aesthetic appeal. This piece offers a unique glimpse into Jurassic vegetation, preserved in stone and enhanced through careful preparation.
Its polished surface makes it ideal for display in a cabinet, on a desk, or as part of a curated fossil collection. The natural patterns and dark tones provide a distinctive visual presence, suitable for both collectors and decorative use.
Each specimen is entirely unique, with its own pattern, structure, and history of formation.
Authenticity & Provenance
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity. It was discovered by Alister and Alison and professionally prepared by Alison, ensuring both provenance and quality.
The image provided shows the exact polished petrified wood specimen you will receive, offering complete confidence in your purchase.
Ideal Gift or Collection Piece
This Polished Petrified Fossil Wood from the Jurassic Coast makes a remarkable gift for fossil collectors, geology enthusiasts, or anyone interested in natural history. Its geological significance, documented discovery, and refined presentation make it a standout addition to any collection or display.
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