Ammonite (Ammolite)
About Ammonite (Ammolite)
Made from the fossilized shells of ammonites - extinct cephalopods that lived 70+ million years ago. The iridescent colors come from layers of aragonite that interfere with light. Found primarily in Alberta, Canada. It was declared an official gemstone in 1981. The Blackfeet Nation called it iniskim (buffalo stone) and used it in spiritual ceremonies. It can display more colors than any other gemstone in a single piece. High-quality ammolite sells for $50-500 per carat. It is fragile and usually made into triplets with protective caps. It is one of only a few biogenic gemstones.
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