Ammolite Jewelry
A rare iridescent gem formed from fossilised ammonite shells, found only in Alberta, Canada
Unearthed Gemstones Ammolite Jewelry
Click the photos for a closer look of the jewelry pieces
Hardness
3.5 - 4.5 (Soft): Handle with care; Easily scratchable.
Toughness
Poor (Fragile — Can chip or break easily; Treat gently and store separately)
Mineral Family
Aragonite (organic gem)
Transparency
Opaque
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Lustre
Vitreous
What Is Ammolite?
Ammolite is one of the rarest gems on Earth, and it started life as a sea creature. It is the fossilised shell of ammonites, coiled molluscs that swam the oceans over 70 million years ago. The shell's aragonite layers were preserved and compressed, and now they flash brilliant reds, greens and blues like an opal. Gem-quality ammolite comes from just one region, along the Bearpaw Formation in Alberta, Canada. The Blackfoot people knew it long before jewellers did and called it the buffalo stone.
Is Ammolite Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry?
Ammolite is soft, around 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, and the colourful layer is naturally thin and prone to flaking. Pendants and earrings suit it best.
Why Is Ammolite Sold as Doublets and Triplets?
Because the gem layer is so thin, most jewellery pieces are sold as doublets or triplets, where the gem layer is backed with stone and capped with clear quartz or spinel. That is normal, disclosed practice and it makes the gem far more wearable.
How to Care for Ammolite Jewelry
Keep it away from knocks, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, and wipe it with a soft, damp cloth.
Gemstones Similar to Ammolite
Opal and labradorite share a similar shifting rainbow flash, and petrified wood is also a fossil-turned-gem.
