Gem Profile- Ammolite
As promised in my Gem Profile about opalized fossils, this week we'll learn a bit about one of my favorite gemstones, Ammolite! Before I get into exactly what ammolite is, I first have to give you a brief background on the ammonite.
Ammonites were marine animals belonging to the mollusk family, now extinct.
Although they resemble the modern nautilus, they were more like squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses, but with an external shell.
The name ammonite means "Ammon's Stones." It was given to fossil shells whose wrinkled whorls resemble the ram's horns often associated with the Egyptian god Ammon.
Most ammonites were small to medium in size, but some grew as large as 5 1/2 feet across.
A selection of fossilized ammonites. Notice the mother-of-pearl shell on the bottom-right. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Although they resemble the modern nautilus, they were more like squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses, but with an external shell.
The name ammonite means "Ammon's Stones." It was given to fossil shells whose wrinkled whorls resemble the ram's horns often associated with the Egyptian god Ammon.
Most ammonites were small to medium in size, but some grew as large as 5 1/2 feet across.
A selection of fossilized ammonites. Notice the mother-of-pearl shell on the bottom-right. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
The shell of an ammonite is divided into chambers, and many varieties have defined joints called sutures.
These free-swimming creatures thrived in oceans and seas for millions of years.
Ammonites became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, so they are generally not considered rare.
However, one type is extremely rare, found in only a single location on Earth.
A pyritized, split ammonite wire pendant, accented with Tennessee freshwater pearls by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
These free-swimming creatures thrived in oceans and seas for millions of years.
Ammonites became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, so they are generally not considered rare.
However, one type is extremely rare, found in only a single location on Earth.
A pyritized, split ammonite wire pendant, accented with Tennessee freshwater pearls by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
In the Bear Paw geological formation of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada, there is a stunning ammonite that resembles opal.
This special material is called Ammolite, said to be the rarest gemstone on Earth.
Ammolite isn't actually an opal or a typical fossil. It is a natural, reconstituted mineral or mineralized shell.
The classification comes from the fact that the ammonite shell hasn't petrified or fossilized, but has been transformed.
Freeform ammolite cabochons, waiting to be wire wrapped. Entranced, I spent almost my entire budget on ammolite one year! (The pen cap is for size comparison.) Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
This special material is called Ammolite, said to be the rarest gemstone on Earth.
Ammolite isn't actually an opal or a typical fossil. It is a natural, reconstituted mineral or mineralized shell.
The classification comes from the fact that the ammonite shell hasn't petrified or fossilized, but has been transformed.
Freeform ammolite cabochons, waiting to be wire wrapped. Entranced, I spent almost my entire budget on ammolite one year! (The pen cap is for size comparison.) Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
By combining an ammonite with an ammolite, Dale Cougar Armstrong created this pendant titled: "Ancient History" in 14k gold filled and Argentium wire.
Relatively new to the gemstone world, ammolite was recognized in 1981 by the Colored Stones Commission as one of only three organic gemstones, alongside amber and pearl.
The calcium carbonate that made up an ammonite's shell is the same material that forms the nacre of a pearl. During geological processes, it transformed into aragonite, a mica-like substance with many layers on a dark brown, gray, or black jasper-like matrix.
Ammolite is very soft, rating only 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, so it must be stabilized for use as a gemstone.
Stabilization can involve forcing epoxy into the layers to fuse them, creating doublets or triplets, or simply applying an acrylic coating to protect the specimen.
All ammolite available for jewelry has been stabilized for durability.
A wonderful display of ammolite cabochons and specimens for sale at the Tucson gem shows in 2009.
The calcium carbonate that made up an ammonite's shell is the same material that forms the nacre of a pearl. During geological processes, it transformed into aragonite, a mica-like substance with many layers on a dark brown, gray, or black jasper-like matrix.
Ammolite is very soft, rating only 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, so it must be stabilized for use as a gemstone.
Stabilization can involve forcing epoxy into the layers to fuse them, creating doublets or triplets, or simply applying an acrylic coating to protect the specimen.
All ammolite available for jewelry has been stabilized for durability.
A wonderful display of ammolite cabochons and specimens for sale at the Tucson gem shows in 2009.
The iridescent colors of ammolite are truly spectacular! Vivid shades of red, orange, violet, gold, green, and blue cover large areas of the shell.
Unlike opal, ammolite's colors do not shift. The range of colors depends on the thickness of the aragonite layers.
The most common colors are red and gold, while blue and green are rarer.
Many pieces of ammolite resemble the imagined skin of a mythological dragon, making it a highly artistic stone for jewelry designs.
Unlike opal, ammolite's colors do not shift. The range of colors depends on the thickness of the aragonite layers.
The most common colors are red and gold, while blue and green are rarer.
Many pieces of ammolite resemble the imagined skin of a mythological dragon, making it a highly artistic stone for jewelry designs.
Although ammolite can occasionally be found in Montana and Wyoming, the best gem-quality specimens come only from Alberta, on land belonging to the Blackfoot Native Americans.
Miners need special licenses and permission from the Blackfoot, making ammolite a primary source of income for the tribe.
This connection ties into Blackfoot history and legends. One story tells of a woman who found an ammolite during a harsh winter when the tribe was starving.
A spirit instructed her to bring the stone back to the camp. People were in awe and held a buffalo ceremony.
The next day, a huge herd of buffalo arrived, saving the tribe. This is why the Blackfoot call ammolite "Inskim," or "buffalo stone."
A freeform green ammolite cabochon with a sapphire accent, made into a wire pendant by Dale Cougar Armstrong, titled: Dragon's Tear.
Miners need special licenses and permission from the Blackfoot, making ammolite a primary source of income for the tribe.
This connection ties into Blackfoot history and legends. One story tells of a woman who found an ammolite during a harsh winter when the tribe was starving.
A spirit instructed her to bring the stone back to the camp. People were in awe and held a buffalo ceremony.
The next day, a huge herd of buffalo arrived, saving the tribe. This is why the Blackfoot call ammolite "Inskim," or "buffalo stone."
A freeform green ammolite cabochon with a sapphire accent, made into a wire pendant by Dale Cougar Armstrong, titled: Dragon's Tear.
Metaphysically, folks still look to ammolite for the special properties of healing and good luck, as well as a good stone for meditation as it is said to radiate positive Earth energies.
Resources
Print Resources:
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Love is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
The Fossil Book by P.V. Rich, T.H. Rich, M.A. Fenton, and C.L. Fenton, ISBN 0-486-29371-8
Internet Resources:
www.agta.org
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Love is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
The Fossil Book by P.V. Rich, T.H. Rich, M.A. Fenton, and C.L. Fenton, ISBN 0-486-29371-8
Internet Resources:
www.agta.org
www.wikipedia.org
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