The characteristic spotted look of palmwood is from the rod like structures found within the grain of the original wood. Depending upon the angle the lapidary uses to cut the stone, these structures show up as spots, tapering rods, or lines. Petrified palm wood is very hard, a 7.5 on the Mohs scale and ranges in color from black, light beige, yellowish-brown and brown.

Palmwood is a hardwood timber from palm trees, most commonly associated with the Coconut Palm, but also including the Date Palm. It is a relatively new timber resource that comes from plantation crops and offers an alternative to rainforest timber.