Ammolite - a stone of rainbow tints that brings good luck

Story. Origin

Ammolite is a very rare fossilized part of an ammonite. This is a layer with pearlescent tints that forms on its shell. Ammonites are cephalopods that lived in the seas about 300–400 million years ago . Their shells are found on all continents, but the ammolite layer on them is very rare.

The name of the stone is made up of the first part of the word “ammonite” and the word Lithos - translated from Greek - stone. Ammon is a spelling in Greek literature of the Egyptian god Amun, who was depicted with the head of a ram with curled horns resembling ammonite shells.

Trade names of this gem:

• Ammolite;
• Calcinitis;
• Korit;
• Perlanorilsk.

Ammolite, strictly speaking, is not considered a mineral, since it is a nacreous layer of shells of ancient fossilized mollusks. The thickness of this layer is from 1 to 12 mm .

In 1908, in the area of ​​Alberta, Canada, along the St. Mary's River, representatives of the National Geological Survey discovered a bright, iridescent gem. It was shaped like a shell, resembling a curled ram's horn, and like most organic stones, it was composed of calcium carbonate. The samples found had complex patterns, a variety of shade combinations, and a multi-layered gradient.

When the flow of streams and rivers erodes the fossilized shells of ammonites, they become like bison; the Indians call them “buffalo stones.”

After numerous studies, scientists have identified the fairly high quality of ammolite, so in 1981 the International Conference of Jewelers officially awarded it the status of a precious stone. After this, industrial mining of this mineral began.

Shell of an ancient ammonite mollusk, the mother-of-pearl layer of which is ammolite

Stories: Paleolithic, god Amon and the new phenomenon of ammolite

Just half a century ago, mineral collectors were mainly interested in ammolite stones (as well as ammonites). As a gemstone, ammolites appeared on the jewelry markets in 1962. A fossil with a stunningly beautiful appearance was “promoted” by Canadian jeweler Marcel Charbonneau.

How ammolite was born

300 million years ago, warm ocean waves splashed on the site of the Rocky Mountains. Ammonite mollusks lived there with an interesting shell shape, often twisted into a spiral. The sizes of shells (and mollusks) ranged from 1 centimeter to 2 meters in diameter.

The cephalopods lived and did not grieve, but mountain-building processes began and volcanic activity increased sharply. The ocean retreated and mountains began to grow in its place. It was there, in the foothills, that millions of mollusks living in shell houses were buried.

That's what they called it

There are several versions of where the name came from. Most mineralogists believe that the stone is named after the ancient Egyptian sun god, Amon Ra.

Ammolites are mentioned by Pliny the Elder in Natural History. He calls the stone “horns of Amun” or “ammonis cornua” - the ancient Egyptian god Amon was depicted with ram horns.

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If you come across the words calcentin, corite, precious aragonite, seven-color stone of prosperity, know that we are talking about ammolite.

Description

Ammolite color contains all the colors of the rainbow. Its iridescence (that is, its iridescent glow in bright light) is very impressive. When rotated 360 degrees, the mother-of-pearl layer of shells tends to shimmer.

Interestingly, the color of ammolite does not depend on pigmentation, like other stones, but on the refraction and reflection of rays in the layers of mother-of-pearl. Only tropical butterflies have such natural color and brightness.

The top layer of the stone is covered with small cracks that create unique patterns. Some examples of pearlescent cracks are similar to reptile skin.

This rainbow gem is the closest relative of pearls and is considered the most valuable among stones of organic origin, which also include mother of pearl, amber, bezoar, and jet.

Description and external signs

The name of the stone comes from the ancient Greek word "lithos", which means "stone", and the concept of "ammonite" (the definition of the oldest mollusks). The fact is that ammolite is not a mineral, but a precious stone of organic origin (fossils from ammonite shells). The English name is “ammolite”.

A distinctive feature of a gem is that it can shimmer in shades of one or more colors due to the refraction of rays. This mother of pearl stone is incredibly beautiful.

Classification (colors, varieties, types)

There are more than 3 thousand varieties of ammolite. Stones are distinguished from each other by color. Most often, stones of a red-green hue are found, there are also combinations of blue and green, red and yellow, less often - purple, and the most valuable specimens, “seven-colored”, shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.

In addition, the surface of the stone can be dotted with patterns that resemble the skin of a snake or an antique stained glass window.

Based on quality, the following categories are distinguished (starting with the highest):

• AA;
• A+;
• A;
• A-.

Chemical composition

The chemical formula of ammolite is: CaCO3 (calcium carbonate), contains impurities FeS2 (iron disulfide), SiO2 (silicon oxide), may include calcite, quartz, pyrite.

Physical properties

Ammolite has the following characteristics:

• Hardness on the Moss scale - 4.5-5.5;
• Specific gravity - 2.60-2.85 grams per cubic centimeter;
• Density is 2.6–2.85 grams per cubic centimeter;
• Refractive index - 1.52-1.68.

Ammolite has a pearlescent luster and is opaque. Fragile. The fracture of the stone is uneven, there is no syngony. The structure is diamond-shaped.

Production (fields)

Ammolite deposits are located in the Rocky Mountains region, in their eastern foothills, by country: Canada and the United States of America. It is considered rare, the location of production is due to the fact that it was in these territories that mollusks lived about 70 million years ago. On an industrial scale, a large mining area is considered to be an area called "Bear's Paw" in the Canadian province of Alberta.

History (mythology)

Interestingly, ammolite is the “youngest” gemstone. He received this “honorary title” only in 1981. However, some mineralogists warn that if ammolite is mined so massively, the deposits will dry up within a couple of decades.

Physicochemical characteristics

The chemical composition of ammolite is complex. Various impurities (copper, aluminum, titanium and others) affect the change in the composition and color of the stone. The main substance is aragonite (one of the stable forms of calcium carbonate). During fossilization, part of the aragonite is replaced by quartz and pyrite.

• The chemical formula is CaCO3 .
• Impurities - FeS2, SiO2 .
• Color - red-yellow, red-green, bluish-green, blue-green, rarely pink and purple. Some specimens contain the entire spectrum of the rainbow.
• Gloss - depends on its composition, often pearlescent.
• Transparency - opaque, translucent at thin edges.
• Hardness - 4,5–5,5.
• Density - 2.6–2.85 g / cm3 .

It is a rather fragile stone with a diamond-shaped structure.

Buy ammolite jewelry

At the beginning of the “jewelry biography”, stones could be bought cheaply, and they were set in cupronickel. Nowadays, rainbow stones are set in precious metal and framed with expensive gems.

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The price of a small piece of ammolite (2x2 centimeters) of high quality in rainbow colors can reach $1000.

Such stones are rarely found. The color largely depends on the thickness of the aragonite layer. The thinnest layers usually have purple and blue colors, while the thicker layers have red and green shades.

Jewelry with ammolite

Such a fragile stone

Ammolites have low hardness. Therefore, jewelers prefer to set ammonite pieces in a tight, gap-free metal frame. Tripleting and doubling technologies are also used for stone processing.

• When doubling, a thin (very thin) plate of ammonite is glued onto a synthetic backing made of black spinel. The plate is impregnated with polymer adhesives to strengthen the gem.
• When tripletting, a third, top layer is added to this stone “sandwich” - a transparent mineral layer.

Place of Birth

Ammolites occur in sedimentary rocks of limestone, clay and marl. They are found on almost all continents, but deposits are so far known only in North America: in the Canadian province of Alberta and in the northern USA, on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. The formation of the gem in these places occurred due to the transformation of the boundaries of the ocean and due to volcanic processes - as a result, colonies of ammonites were buried under a layer of ash and rocky rocks.

Specimens from those regions, which have very bright colors, are prized by fossil lovers. After ammolite was recognized in 1981, industrial mining of this gem began in the Canadian Bear paw deposit. There they find ammonite samples of varying quality, but the ammolite layer on them is no more than 1 mm .

In Russia, it began to be mined in 2021 at a recently discovered deposit in Taimyr near Norilsk. They were given the trade name Perlanorilsk. These ammolites are not inferior in quality to Canadian ones; they have good thickness - up to 3 mm and excellent iridescence. They are located in strong rocks, while Canadian ones are found in clays, so impregnation of the rock is required before mining.

Ammolites were also discovered in the Ulyanovsk region, but they do not have iridescence due to the weathering of ammonite shells, since the deposits are located close to the surface of the earth.

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Where did ancient cephalopods live?

The location of ammolites is sedimentary rocks.

Now 90% of ammolite production comes from the Bear paw deposit. It is located in the Rocky Mountains, in southern Canada. Experts believe that at the current rate of production, the deposit will dry up in 20 years.

There is no need to worry just yet - the Russian Taimyr region has recently opened its storehouse of ammolites. And the quality of our ammolites is no worse than Canadian ones. And ours are easier to get. Taimyr ammolites are found in hard rocks. Canadian ones are in clays, and this requires impregnation of the rock. Extra time, extra money (increased production costs).

Ammolite is found in Madagascar.

Informative: rainbow pieces of stone can be found on the banks of the Volga, but they do not form industrial deposits. Recommended: All colors of RAINBOW TOPAZ

Colors

Ammolites differ in shades. Some stones have several shades of the same color, others have a color where several different colors merge into a single whole.

The most common specimens are red-green. There are also combinations of green and blue, yellow and red, as well as other colors.

In addition, the surface of the stone may have patterns reminiscent of antique stained glass or the skin of a snake.

The quality of ammolites is assessed based on the number of color shades:

• The highest quality (category AA) - stones with a full color palette (that is, seven-color), as well as 4-6 colors.
• Average (category A+) - several shades of two or three colors.
• Lowest (category A-) - several shades of the same color.

This grading system in relation to these stones is not unified , since different manufacturers assess the quality of these stones differently, in general, based on the following criteria:

• number of flowers;
• irisation.

Varieties and colors

Ammolite occurs in nature in different sizes and colors.

Shells are divided into several categories:

• AA - stones of the highest quality. The color palette contains 4 or more shades;
• A - high quality precious mineral containing 2-3 colors;
• B - simple, plain shells. The cost is much cheaper than the 2 minerals described above.

The mother-of-pearl layer shimmers iridescently if you begin to rotate the stone 360 ​​degrees.

The main and popular shades of ammolite found in nature:

• Red Green;
• pink, purple;
• red with yellow;
• violet;
• blue with green;
• pink;
• blue-green.

Application

Jewelry

Processing ammolite requires care. Experienced, skilled craftsmen work with him. The gem has a very thin layer. If before polishing it is 0.5–0.8 mm , then after it it is 0.3–0.5 mm . It is impossible to make a cabochon from it in the usual way, so the technology of making doublets and triplets is used. It allows you to use the finest mother-of-pearl in jewelry. As a result, the jewelry will be reliably protected from scratches and impacts. This manufacturing technology makes the jewelry durable.

The traditional cut of this stone is slab. Round specimens are high quality gems. Ammolite is fixed into the frame to give greater strength to the product. Previously, nickel silver and cupronickel were used as frames; now they are made of silver, gold and platinum.

Most often, jewelers make rings, rings, brooches, and earrings from this gem. Jewelry with this stone is mainly considered elite. They are not only beautiful, but also stylish and original.

Collecting

Collectors highly value this rare stone of organic origin. For them, samples are sold in natural form, as well as doublets and triplets on the original substrate.

Jewelry with mineral

Each ammolite fragment is unique in luster, color and pattern. Pricing is based on the size, shape, number of colors present, their brightness and the appearance of the jewelry. A natural gem can have any shape, be coated or uncoated.

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In jewelry, a fragment of ammolite is placed on a base; perhaps it will be a natural material, not exceeding a thickness of 1.5 mm. On top, a thin layer of shell is covered with an optical cap made of quartz, then the jewel can shimmer with all colors and be reliably protected from shocks and scratches.

It is known that the cost of stones depends on physical properties and carats. The market offers various jewelry with stones, and to buy jewelry, it is better to stock up on the necessary information. An indicative list of prices for some ammolite samples is presented:

• the minimum price for a single-color triangular fragment, 16.1–8.8 mm in size – $ 150.58;
• two-color stone, 28.4–13.4 mm in size, costs $394.88;
• a shell with a color resembling “dragon skin”, measuring 28.1–20.2 mm, costs $936.84;
• The ammolite, which has three colors and measures 28.5–18.7 mm, is valued at $1,181.64.

The gem is used to make rings, pendants, earrings and various ritual artifacts. Doublet or triplet manufacturing technologies make jewelry durable, which is passed on from generation to generation.

Medicinal properties

It is believed that if ammolite is worn as an amulet, it will protect against health problems.

Lithotherapists recommend using it in healing practices. They are sure that this gem, acting on human energy, helps normalize the circulation of energy flows in its owner.

The significance of ammolite for humans is that its medicinal properties help treat not only the body, but also the psyche. Its vibrations affect the physical and mental state of a person. The pebble gives the mood for recovery and charges the owner’s biofield with positive energy. This strengthens the immune system, helps maintain youth and beauty.

Attention! Ammolite can be used in the treatment of diseases only without neglecting the recommendations of doctors and without refusing official treatment.

This rainbow stone may lose its healing properties due to constant contact with the human body. Therefore, jewelry with it should not be worn constantly.

Magic properties

Ammolite stone comes from water. Indian shamans believed that the shells of ancient ammonites, lined with a shiny layer of ammolite, were capable of subjugating the water element. They used them in rituals to bring rain during droughts, and used them to search for sources of drinking water and underground streams.

It is believed that the ammolite talisman helps to more easily achieve contact with higher powers during meditation, as well as predict the future.

Interesting! Ammolite itself determines who it is suitable for as a protective amulet, and for whom it is suitable as a talisman that brings happiness and good luck.

The magical properties of ammolite are largely due to the fact that it senses the subtle vibrations of its owner and, if a person desires something, the gem pushes him in the right direction.

It is believed that the richer the color of the stone, the stronger its message to make a wish come true.

If an amulet made from this gem is worn in a secret pocket, it will protect the owner’s energy field from negative influences (the evil eye, etc.).

Some believe that ammolite jewelry helps prolong youth.

They are especially suitable for women - they add more charm and enhance attractiveness.

They say that this gem helps to find lost things, and its owner always turns out to be where needed and when needed.

It is believed that ammolite can subjugate the water element, so many believe that it helps people whose professions are related to water (fishermen, sailors, divers).

Scope and scope

Zodiac sign

Astrologers believe that ammolite is most suitable for representatives of the water element: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. The stone is directly connected with the inhabitants of the water, and therefore will help:

• Cancer - to fulfill cherished desires and establish peace in the family;
• Scorpios - to heal and lift spirits;
• Pisces - complete harmony in all areas.

In addition, it would be a good idea to purchase ammolite as a talisman for the Air signs: Aquarius, Libra, Gemini.

You should not assume that everyone else is prohibited from wearing or having ammolite at home. Rather, for the signs of Fire and Earth it will simply be a neutral decoration.

Due to its belonging to the water element, ammolite is a must-have for those whose occupation is related to the sea.

Medicinal properties

The healing power of the stone is recognized by many. It is believed that wearing ammolite amulets helps cure many diseases. Thus, the gem has a beneficial effect on the state of the circulatory system and is very helpful in healing from ailments of the skin and hair. Even if everything is fine with them, ammolite will further strengthen their condition.

Parents will be pleased to know that this beautiful stone is not only able to please the baby with its brilliance and bright color, but also has a good effect on his health. Even the ancient Greeks used ammolite to speed up the course (and cure) of various infections that often attack children: measles or scarlet fever.

Ammolite will help improve the condition of the endocrine system and normalize the production of hormones. It will also have a good effect on the psyche: it will help get rid of depression or establish sound, healthy sleep. Buy ammolite powder for those women who want to conceive a child.

Even if everything is fine with your health, a product made from ammolite will not harm, but will only strengthen your health and improve your appearance: it can rejuvenate you, and also improve your metabolism and help, for example, lose a little weight.

Magic properties

Even in ancient times, ammolite was used in magical rituals and ceremonies. Indian shamans could cause a saving rain during drought. The beliefs of some peoples say that a traveler can use a stone to find an underground stream and drink during a difficult journey.

A brightly colored stone can also bring good luck to the owner. Those who like to play in a casino or buy lottery tickets should have such a shining talisman. But in other areas, ammolite will bring success. It is especially suitable for women - it will enhance attractiveness, make it more graceful and add charm, even some mystery.

Those who want to protect their energy field from bad influences such as the evil eye can carry such an amulet in a secret pocket. For Feng Shui adherents, ammolite will help attract Qi energy. The gem has the shape of a spiral, and therefore is able to bring orderliness and completeness to the life of the owner, and allow one to realize the pattern of events.

The ancient Egyptians believed that ammolite could send a prophetic dream, thanks to which it would be possible to find a way out of a difficult life situation. And those who love to meditate should use it to more easily achieve contact with higher powers.

Decorations

Most often, jewelers make earrings, rings, and brooches from ammolite. In collecting, stones are sold in their natural form, but may be a doublet or triplet with an original slate or clay backing.

The traditional cut of ammolite is plate. There are round stones, they are high quality gems. If raw materials are being processed, jewelers combine several layers and fix them with varnish and resin.

When ammolite was not yet so popular and only those who mined the stone themselves knew about it, its cost was very small. However, commercial importance has increased and this gemstone can now be worth several thousand dollars.

It is better to wear ammolite, so that its beneficial properties are most evident, as a brooch, pendant or hair clip.

Stone and name

Most suitable for Tatiana, Eugene (both sexes), Victor.

Combinations with other stones

It is best to combine with such gems as emerald, pearl (which is even similar in composition), jasper, agate, turquoise. No completely unsuitable stones have been identified, but it is worth understanding that multi-colored ammolite (especially one that plays in all shades) is self-sufficient without “neighbors.” From metals it is combined with both gold and silver.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

Astrologers, studying the properties of ammolite, recognized that it is suitable for any zodiac sign.

Since this stone is associated with water, it provides special protection to the zodiac signs of the element of Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces . For people born under these constellations, ammolite helps to overcome obstacles that arise along the path of life. It promotes the prosperity of its owner, brings good luck and health. With the help of such a talisman, a person can choose an activity that will bring success.

Ammolite provides no less assistance to the zodiac signs of the element of Air ( Gemini, Libra, Aquarius It especially helps those people who know what they want, but do not understand which way to choose to make their wish come true. The talisman will point out all the real opportunities for making your dream come true and will help you avoid troubles on the way to it.

This gem has a neutral attitude towards other zodiac signs. It will not make you happy, but it will not bring problems either, so all representatives of these zodiac signs can safely wear jewelry with this beautiful stone.

How to wear

Ammolite is a very unusual, bright stone. It complements the look as an interesting accessory. This mother-of-pearl gem is so beautiful that it does not need the support of other stones in jewelry.

It is believed that the healing and magical properties of ammolite will be more beneficial if worn as a pendant, brooch or hair clip.

You can also wear an ammolite amulet in a secret pocket - then it will protect the owner from negativity from the outside (damage, etc.).

For jewelry made from this stone, a frame made of gold or silver is more suitable.

How to store ammonite

Over millions of years, the ammonite was forced into contact with other minerals. Therefore, in jewelry or a box it is removed from the proximity of other stones. And it’s difficult to choose an aesthetically acceptable option: the mineral is good solo in any piece of jewelry.

No special care is required, just remove dust with a dry cloth.

Ammonite shell

It doesn’t hurt to sometimes immerse the mineral in water to make it “shine” in every sense.

How to care

Gemstones of organic origin require delicate care, and ammolite is no exception:

• Since this gem is fragile, it must be protected from any mechanical stress in order for it to remain intact.
• It is better to store it in a box with a soft interior or in a jewelry case. Neighborhood with other stones is undesirable, since almost all of them are much harder than ammolite.
• Do not allow perfumes and cosmetics to come into contact with the stone.
• Keep away from high temperatures and acids.

For cleaning, do not use alcohol, varnish, or household chemicals.

You can carefully wash the product with cold water and a little soap, then rinse under running water. It is better to dry naturally or blot with a soft cloth that absorbs moisture well.

You can clean ammolite with a pearl care product (since the composition of these stones is similar) or take it to a jeweler for cleaning.

How to distinguish from a fake

Often items with ammolite contain several fragments of shells. In this case everyone will be able to distinguish a fake , because the pattern on the mineral is unique, it never repeats.

If the earrings and bracelet have the same shell fragments, then we can safely say that it is a fake.

A natural mineral must always have a document confirming its authenticity. It indicates the place of extraction, shade, weight. When purchasing a stone product, you should be wary of the low price.

Ammolite of natural origin is rare, so its cost is quite high.

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Publication from Evgeny Rodnikov. Artist (@rodnikova_art) Feb 14, 2021 at 4:37 PST