Polished petrified palmwood (actual size 13 - 29 mm) from Amy O'Connell's Petrified Palmwood (all rights reserved; used by permission).
Official State Stone of Texas
Texas designated petrified palmwood as the official state "stone" in 1969 (petrified wood is actually a fossil rather than a stone). Petrified wood is also the state gem of Washington, and the state fossil of North Dakota and Louisiana. All State Fossils - All State Stones
What is now arid Texas was a lush tropical forest 100 million years ago. Trees that fell into mineral-rich mud before having a chance to decay became petrified wood, which is actually a quartz-like stone. The organic wood cells were replaced over time by minerals, often retaining the detailed shape of the original prehistoric wood. Petrified wood is called the most beautiful of fossils.
The spotted look of palmwood is caused by fossilized rod-like structures within the original wood. Depending upon the angle the stone is cut, they show up as spots, tapering rods, or lines. Petrified palm wood is very hard and takes a wonderful polish, making beautiful jewelry.
House Concurrent Resolution
WHEREAS, The State of Texas has not officially designated a state gem or a state stone; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Gem and Mineral Society has adopted appropriate resolutions in support of designating the TEXAS BLUE TOPAZ as the official State gem and PETRIFIED PALMWOOD as the official State stone; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate that the State Legislature take the necessary action whereby the TEXAS BLUE TOPAZ and PETRIFIED PALMWOOD may be officially named as the State gem and the State stone, respectively; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, the Senate concurring, that the recommendations of the Texas Gem and Mineral Society be and are hereby adopted, and that the TEXAS BLUE TOPAZ be and is hereby declared to be the official State gem and PETRIFIED PALMWOOD be and is hereby declared to be the official State stone of Texas.
