Ammolite History, Meaning, Healing Properties, Facts, Benefits, and Uses

Introduction

Ammolite is one of the most rare gemstones found on earth. This unique gemstone is famous worldwide for the vibrant colors it shows. The ammolite gemstone is formed out of the fossilized remnants of ammonites (which are nothing but extinct marine mollusks). These ammonites lived on this planet during the Cretaceous period, and to be specific, about 65 to 240 million years ago. Although you can find these fossils around different parts of the world, the ones found in the Rocky Mountains of North America are the most fit for making ammolite jewelry such as ammolite rings, ammolite earrings, ammolite pendants, and ammolite bracelets. Ammolite stone is used by various jewelers to make some of the finest gemstone jewelry.

About Ammolite Gemstone

Considered a semi-precious gemstone, ammolite is a biogenic gemstone like coral and pearl. The remarkable play of colors this gemstone showcases is what sets ammolite apart. And because of this rare trait, ammolite is highly valued. In case you are thinking that only gem collectors and jewelry enthusiasts are the ones who purchase this gemstone for its beauty, you are wrong. This gemstone is also used by paleontologists who desire to study Earth’s history through fossils.

The finest grade of ammolite showcases vivid tones and a wide spectrum of colors with high transparency and distinct patterns all over it. This particular category of ammolite is designated the “AAA” grade. Because of the limited availability of ammolite stone and its high demand, this gemstone is considered to be a collector’s gemstone. Here is some information that you would find to be interesting: ammolite gemstone is considered to be the official gemstone of Alberta, Canada, which hosts significant deposits of high-quality ammolite.

In recent years, crystal healers and the spiritual community have been obsessed with this stone because they see it as a symbol of good luck, energy, and transformation. Crystal healers believe that this gemstone enhances vitality, overall well-being, and the creativity of an individual. While, on the other hand, the spiritual community associates this stone with the Chinese philosophy of feng shui, which says that ammolite jewelry brings positive energy, wealth, and abundance to its wearer.

Origin of Ammolite Stone

As mentioned above, ammolite is formed out of the fossilized shells of ammonites. These ancient marine mollusks (ammonites) were once alive inside the ocean, during the Mesozoic Era. Intricate chambers were present in the coiled shells of these creatures. Ammonites used these chambers for protection and offering themselves buoyancy. The process of fossilization of ammonites is an interesting process – it did not happen in one or two steps.

When ammonites died, their shell sank towards the floor of the ocean, where eventually, they got buried under sediment. With time, these shells were put through mineral-rich water and pressure. The mineral aragonite, which is a type of calcium carbonate, gradually replaced the original shell material of ammonite, thus creating a fossilized replica of its shell.

We know you wish to know the secret behind the coloration and unique iridescence of ammolite. The iridescence and coloration of this beautiful gemstone is a direct result of the organic compounds of its shell undergoing diagenesis. Basically, in the process of diagenesis, the fossils go through a series of chemical and physical changes during the fossilization process.

History of Ammolite Gemstone

The ammolite gemstone has been discovered recently. During the late 18th century, ammolite-bearing rocks were discovered in the Bearpaw Formation in the southern Alberta region of Canada. In the initial days, this gemstone was valued for its fossil content, and it was not recognized as a gemstone. However, things took an interesting turn when in the 1960s, a Canadian miner named Mike Evernden recognized the gemological potential of ammolite and started promoting it as a gemstone.

Mining Locations of Ammolite Stone

The ammolite stone is primarily found in the Bearpaw Formation of southern Alberta, Canada. The region around the city of Lethbridge, southern Alberta is famous all around the world for its high-quality ammolite deposits. Why are high-quality ammolite stones found only in this particular region? Well, since the Bearpaw Formation is composed of sedimentary rocks belonging to the late Cretaceous period, they provide the best-suited conditions for the emergence of ammonite fossils. In addition to the Bearpaw Formation, here are some other locations where ammolite is found and mined:

Montana, USA: You can find ammolite in the state of Montana, especially in the area around the Rocky Mountains.
Wyoming, USA: There are many deposits of ammolite found in Wyoming, the most notable ones being located in the Bighorn Basin.
Madagascar: Along with deposits of amethyst, aquamarine, labradorite, tourmaline, and rose quartz, deposits of ammolite have also been discovered in Madagascar (in the Mahajanga Province).
Morocco: Morocco has recently become a significant source of ammolite. This ammolite comes from the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

Some Interesting Facts about Ammolite Gemstone

Here are several unique facts about ammolite gemstones that you might find interesting:

Iridescence: One of the most remarkable features of ammolite gemstone is its distinct play of colors. What is the play of colors that each ammolite showcases? Well, when the ammolite stone or ammolite jewelry is viewed from different angles, it shows a shifting range of hues such as orange, red, green, blue, and yellow. Why does ammolite show the play of colors? Because as light passes through the thin layers of aragonite (aragonite is the mineral that forms ammolite), it interferes and diffracts because of those layers.
Patterns: Ammolite often displays striking patterns such as swirls, undulating lines, and even the shapes that the original ammonite shell possessed.
Hardness: Ammolite is not a hard gemstone. It ranks between 3.5 to 4 on the Moh’s Scale of Mineral Hardness which is why it is not as hard as diamonds and sapphires. This is why after purchasing ammolite jewelry, you should handle it with care and diligence.
Transparency: Ammolite can range from completely opaque to translucent, thus showing a varying degree of transparency. As a rule of thumb, remember that the greater the transparency of an ammolite specimen, the higher its quality is. Such specimens are also highly valued because they allow more light to pass through them and show improved play of colors.

Conclusion

Ammolite is a beautiful creation of Mother Nature. It is used to make appealing jewelry and decorative objects. You may find various figurines, sculptures, and art pieces made out of ammolite. Ammolite jewelry is created by cutting and polishing ammolite stones, making captivating pieces of earrings, pendants, brooches, and bracelets. So, are you ready to invest in quality ammolite jewelry? Are you ready to purchase your favorite ammolite ring, or perhaps, ammolite earring? If your answer is a yes, then you can head straight to Sagacia Jewelry – one of the best e-commerce platforms from where you can purchase gemstone jewelry, 925 sterling silver jewelry as well as birthstone jewelry.

All the gemstone jewelry and birthstone jewelry that Sagacia Jewelry sells is made out of pure 925 sterling silver. The ammolite jewelry currently in stock is all handmade, and it makes up for beautiful statement pieces. Other than ammolite gemstone jewelry, aquamarine jewelry, blue opal jewelry, blue tiger eye jewelry, and labradorite jewelry found at Sagacia Jewelry are also statement jewelry. We also sell silver chains that complement our sterling silver jewelry very well, so do check them out. We hope that you had a fun time reading this blog, and you got to know a lot of interesting stuff about ammolite gemstones. Make sure you check out other blogs at Sagacia Jewelry as well.