AMMONITE

1. What is Ammolite?

Ammolite is a Canadian gemstone, one of nature’s rarest gems. It is extremely rare and beautiful and each Ammolite gem is unique in brilliance, colour, and pattern.

2. Where is Ammolite found?

There is only one economically viable Ammolite deposit in the world. It is located in South Eastern Alberta. There are 3 companies with mining rights, Korite International, Aurora, and the Ammonite Factory, as well as a few individuals.

3. What is Ammolite formed from?

Ammolite is formed from the mineralized remains of an upper Cretaceous fossil called the Ammonite Placenticeras. These hard shelled squid-like marine animals became extinct 65 million years ago due to the mass extinction that occurred at the end of that era. The gemstone material is formed from the compacted remains of the ammonite shell which was exposed to eons of elemental movement, mineralization, intense heat and pressure.

4. How old is the Ammolite gemstone?

The Ammolite gemstone is about 70 million year old.

5. Is Ammolite a gemstone?

Ammolite was granted official gemstone status in 1981 by CIBJO International Commission of Colored Gemstones.

6. What gemstone does Ammolite resemble?

Ammolite’s luminous qualities rival the famous black opal for colour and fire.

7. How is Ammolite graded?

Ammolite is graded according to colour and brilliance. There are five grades of ammolite: AA: Highest grade displaying three or more brilliant sharp colors, also considered to be collection grade. Found quite often in one of a kind designer pieces.

•AA: Colour spread evenly throughout, sharp/prismatic. Extra Fine
•A+: Distinct colour with some inclusions. Fine
•A: Definite bright colour Some colour distinction. Good
•A–: Faint colour, less brilliant look. Fair
•B: Broad colour patches. Pattern looks far away. Poor
Please click here to view the grading chart in detail.

8. How hard is Ammolite?

There are 3 ways to finish an Ammolite; naturals, doublets and protected. Doublet has spinel or quartz cap. This is a hard material not gemstone. Spinal can be natural or artificial and has a hardness of 8.5. For comparison, a diamond is 10 and pearls are 2.5. Opals are 6, however, they contain water and therefore have a tendency of cracking. Ammolite contains no water and therefore will not crack. Ammolite doublet stones have been covered with a synthetic spinal crystal to protect it.