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Ammolite is an incredibly unique gemstone that is rapidly gaining popularity among luxury jewellers. These beautiful and vibrant stones are formed from the shells of ancient ammonites, marine creatures that lived millions of years ago. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the origins of ammolite gemstones and how they’ve come to be known for such beauty.
How Ammolite is Formed
Ammolites are formed from the fossilised shells of ammonites, a type of cephalopod that lived in the oceans approximately 70 million years ago. Ammonites were similar in appearance to modern-day squid and nautiluses, with a spiral-shaped shell that housed their soft bodies.
When an ammonite died, its shell would sink to the ocean floor, where it became buried in sediment. Over time, the organic material in the shell would break down, leaving behind aragonite, which is the same mineral found in pearls and mother of pearl.
The process of mineralization and fossilisation takes millions of years. During this time, the aragonite is slowly transformed by minerals such as calcite, pyrite, and silica. Together, these minerals create a wide range of vibrant colours and patterns, resulting in the beautiful and unique gemstones we know as ammolite. Due to the way ammolite forms, no two stones are exactly the same.
Iridescent Ammolite
Ammolite gemstones are known for their remarkable iridescence caused by light passing through the thin layers of minerals that make up the stone. This iridescence can display a wide range of colours, from blues and greens to purples and reds. High-grade ammolites often display multiple colours, shifting and changing as they catch the light from different angles.
Today, ammolite gemstones stand as a rare and inimitable gemstone with a rich history. Their striking colours and unique patterns make them highly sought-after among luxury jewellery makers and wearers alike.
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Shop for Kaimirra Tutan’s latest ammolite designs here.
