GEMSTONE FROM AMMONITE SHELL

Only under special geological circumstances is it possible for the original mother-of-pearl shell of an ammonite to be preserved. In the layers found in Alberta, Canada, mineral solutions also penetrated the mother-of-pearl, excreting elements such as iron and magnesium in the small cavities within the layers of nacre and giving the ammonite its unique iridescent appearance. Today, this ammonite mother-of-pearl is extracted as an expensive gemstone in open-cast mines and sold to jewelers worldwide for a lot of money under the name ammolite. Fully preserved ammonites are only the rare by-product – but are no less coveted and valued by collectors and museums!