I used to think the 'petrified wood' at roadside stands was always fake.

Then I took a trip to the Petrified Forest in Arizona and saw the real thing up close. The crystal structure and weight were totally different from the dyed agate they sell to tourists. Has anyone else had a moment like that with a common mineral?

2 comments

2 Comments

taragibson8d ago

Oh man, same thing with turquoise for me. I bought this cheap "turquoise" ring at a festival, and it started flaking green paint. Then I saw a real piece from a mine, all uneven and waxy looking. It was a total lightbulb moment about how much fake stuff is out there.

coleman.avery8d ago

Yeah, I had a similar wake-up call with a "jade" necklace that turned my neck a faint, sickly green. I felt like a human mood ring for a week.