The Fascinating History of Ammolite and Ammolite Jewelry
Ammolite is a brilliant, opal-like stone formed from the fossilized shells of extinct Ammonite mollusks. Gem-quality ammolite deposits are found only in the Bearpaw sedimentary rock formation extending from Alberta to Saskatchewan in Canada and south to Montana in the U.S. Because of its scarcity, gem quality ammolite is exceedingly rare. Very few ammolite gems are considered grade AA, the highest quality possible, further adding to their value. It is estimated that ammolite shells became fossilized over a period of 70 million years, and each stone is unique, featuring up to 7 spectacular colors in unlimited variations.
It is no
surprise that people are inspired to use these beautiful shells in jewelry. How Ammolites Display Their Color The color of most gems like diamonds and rubies occurs from light absorption, but ammolite is different—its iridescent color comes from interference from light rebounding off of thin platelets of aragonite, a crystal-like carbonate mineral found in ammonite. The more layers of aragonite platelets a shell contains, the more reds and greens are produced. Thinner layers of aragonite platelets produce more blue and violet hues. All of the colors in the visual spectrum can be seen in ammonite, and gems with more than three colors are rarer and more desirable than pieces with a single color. Green, orange, red and yellow are the most commonly occurring colors, while thinner ammolites may feature purple and blue tones as well. The most unique and rare color is pink. Ammolites that are bright in color are more valuable and highly sought. In nature ammolite shells are opalescent and must be buffed and polished to bring out their colors. Polishing is critical in order to enhance and best display the colors of the gem. Directionality refers to the difference in colors that are displayed when the gem is moved around. Lesser quality gems only display color when they are held in a certain directions, while the colors of higher quality gems shift as the direction changes.
Different Gem Forms Ammolite that is not exposed to bonding or backing is very fragile and can crack easily. According the International Gem Society, ammolite stones are generally fashioned into three types of jewelry: naturals, doublets and triplets. Naturals are uncoated and hand-finished pieces that are weighed by carat and range in size from 10 carats to six inches across.
Naturals are best suited for brooches, pendants and
earrings due to their fragile nature. Doublets are bonded to a backing, and triplets feature three layers, making them strong enough to be worn every day and producing a brilliant flash. Huge Variety of Surface Patterns Ammolite features an abundance of surface patterns with classifications like cobblestone, tin foil, ribbon, dragon skin, floral, moonglow, stained glass and many others. Different surface patterns produce a unique look—those classified as cobblestone, for example, feature regular uneven rows, while a stained glass pattern resembles window panes. Significance to Chinese and Eastern Cultures In addition to their function as beautiful jewelry pieces, ammolite stones are also significant in Chinese and Eastern history.
Practitioners of Feng Shui began promoting ammolite in the
1990s as an “influential� stone with the power to enhance well-being detoxify the body. Each color of an ammolite stone is believed to have a different influence on wearers. Owning a piece of ammolite jewelry is akin to owning a piece of geological history. These rare gems make beautiful showpieces, whether in a ring, pendant or dazzling pair of earrings. or more information, please visit http://www.alaskajewelry.com.