Petrified wood is a type of fossilized wood that forms when plant material is buried under sediment and then mineralized over millions of years. As water rich in minerals like quartz, calcite, or opal flows through the buried wood, it replaces the organic material while retaining the wood's structure, including its rings and textures. This process creates a stone-like material that often showcases vibrant colors and patterns, making petrified wood both a geological and aesthetic marvel.