Results: Ammolite

Ammolite is the gemstone derived from colourful ammonites (ancient marine fossils). Along with pearls and amber, it is one of only three organic gemstones on earth. Have you heard of ammolite?

Unlike most other gems, whose colors come from light absorption, the iridescent color of ammolite comes from interference with the light that rebounds from stacked layers of thin platelets. The thicker the layers, the more reds and greens are produced; the thinner the layers, the more blues and violets predominate. Reds and greens are the most commonly seen colors, owing to the greater fragility of the finer layers responsible for the blues. Do you like the look of ammolite?

The supply of ammolite is extremely limited and with only one area for mining, ammolite truly is one of nature's rarest gems. Korite, an eco-friendly ammolite mine in Southern Alberta, Canada, produces over 90% of the world's supply of this rare gem. At current production levels, supplies of high grade ammolite are expected to be completely exhausted in about 20 years. If you had the money, would you want to own ammolite?