Creepy Photos Reveal A Different Side History
A 100 million year old tree fossil with opal growth rings.
How gorgeous is this piece of opalized tree? It's almost otherworldly! According to the folks over at ZME Science, this is actually a pretty rare sample. While opal is fairly common inside petrified wood, this particular sample is fire opal and far more rare (and valuable). Basically, fire opals are the ones with all the magical looking colors.
How does this nature wizardry happen? It's pretty simple. Water came in and filled all the little nooks and crannies of the source fossil. Then the silica content in the water eventually hardened and turned into opal. Then presto change-o! You've got a tree fit for fairies!
