Ammolite FAQs:

Ammolite is one of nature's rarest gems. Superficially comparable to the finest Australian black opal, in the variety and intensity of colors displayed, ammolite is formed from the mineralized remains of an upper Cretaceous fossil called the Ammonite Placenticeras. Ammonites were hard shelled squid-like marine animals that became extinct 65 million years ago. Ammonite fossils are found all over the world, but only in Southern Alberta did these beautiful colors form on the shell, making this gem very rare.

Ammolite was discovered by the native Indians and used by them for years to ward off evil spirits. Some Feng Shui masters believe that ammolite has absorbed cosmic energy from the universe, which is then circulated back through the stone, giving the owner health, wealth, and enlightenment. Ammolite was declared a semi-precious gemstone by CIBJO, (the Colored Stones Commission) in 1981.

Ammolite is sold in three forms: naturals, doublets and triplets. Triplets are constructed of three layers. A dark gray wafer of natural shale sits below a layer of ammolite. On top, there is a calibrated cap of optical quartz or synthetic spinel which helps the ammolite gemstone shows the most brilliant flash as well as being durable enough to be worn as every-day jewelry since unprotected ammolite is extremely fragile and is even softer than opal. Most ammolite sold is in triplet form for this reason.