Mined in Alberta, Canada, ammolite was
recognized by the International Coloured
Gemstone Commission (ICGC) in 1981 as a
new organic gemstone and is considered
the rarest gemstone in the world.
The name "ammonite" is derived from the
ancient Egyptian god named Ammon who
believed these creatures were divine.
Ammon is represented in ancient
literature by the head of a ram with
twisted spiral horns that are
reminiscent of an ammonites spiralled
shells. Pliny the Elder, the Roman
historian, considered Ammonite to be the
holiest of stones because he believed it
would summon dreams of prophesy.
Ammolite is the mineralized remains of
an ammonite, the predecessor to the
nautilus. This creature swam the
oceans from the Paleozoic to the end of
the Cretaceous era 65 to 70 million
years ago and had coiled shells with
chambers that filled with gas and
provided both buoyancy and propulsion in
the water.
Although fossilized ammonites are found
all over the world, supplies of the
colourful iridescent gem quality Ammolite
are found only in southern Alberta,
Canada, and only about 5% of this
material actually yields gemstone
quality material.
Ammolite forms from the mineralized
remains of the Ammonite shell which was
exposed to tectonic pressure,
mineralization, and intense heat. It is
composed of 97% aragonite, 1% iron, 1%
silica, and 1% trace minerals such as
titanium, copper, chromium, magnesium,
manganese, aluminium, barium, silicon,
strontium, and vanadium.
It is aragonite that is responsible for
the beautiful and intense colour play in
the stone. The aragonite crystals
form thin scales and/or layers of
various thickness and as light hits
these layers it is diffracted and
exhibits the intense reds, yellows,
greens, blues and other colours of the
rainbow seen in gem quality Ammolite.
Ammolite is sold in its natural form, as
a doublet or as a triplet. A
triplet is made of a dark grey layer of
shale on the bottom and a cap of clear
optical quartz or synthetic spinel on
top. Ammonite is extremely fragile
and the top layer protects the stone and
helps to show off the brilliant colour
flash while the bottom layer adds
thickness and additional protection.
Most Ammolite is sold in triplet form.
Natural Ammolite is a 3.5 - 4 on the
Mohs scale and is extremely delicate and
brittle but triplets with protective
clear quartz or spinel caps increase the
hardness to 7 to 8.5, making the stone
more durable for jewelry.
Legend and Healing Properties
The legend of Ammolite goes back to the
Blackfoot tribe of North America. Ammolite was discovered by the native
Indians and used by them for years to
ward off evil spirits.
It is believed by some Feng Shui masters
that Ammolite absorbs cosmic energy
from the universe. Ammolite is
thought to enhance the flow of Qi (life
energy), to radiate strength, and to
alter negative energy to positive
energy.
It is said Ammolite gives the owner
health, wealth, and enlightenment.
Considered a high energy stone and
enhances the harmony, vitality, and
overall well-being of visitors and
occupants of a home.
