 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The natural stone Ammolite consists of brilliant, intensely hued bits of a rare, mineralized fossil shell. The mollusk ammonite became extinct more than 70 million years ago. When the fossil ammonite becomes opalized it is called Ammolite. Rare, gem -quality ammolite appears similar to black opal, showing different color combinations when the stone is viewed from different angles. The most common colors range from yellows, oranges to reds and greens. The blues are more rare and hence more expensive. The blue is a deep brilliant blue changing to turquoise. Absolutely stunning! Ammolite is found only in southern Alberta, Canada. |
| The story of Ammolite begins over 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs ruled the earth, pterosaurs glided overhead in the skies, and the oceans teamed with an enormous variety of aquatic life. Accompanied by tropical climates, the continents were evolving into the shapes and global positions we are familiar with today. During this time the interior of North America was partially submerged under the warm shallow Bearpaw Sea which bordered the developing Rocky Mountains. Today part of this region is south eastern Alberta, Canada. |
| Living in the Bearpaw Sea were many exotic creatures like plesiosaurs which "flew" through the water like penguins as they diligently fished the shallow waters. In addition to such "monsters" were ancestors of modern sea life such as sharks and turtles. One such ancestor were the ammonites, the predecessor to squids and the south Pacific nautilus. |
| Ammonites were squid-like creatures with coiled shells containing gas filled chambers which provided buoyancy. Like modern squids and nautiluses, they propelled themselves through the water with a "jet" and when threatened, clouded the water with ink during their escapes. Ammonites needed such speed and defense as they were favored as a delicacy by mosasaurs, another predacious marine reptile. |
| Sinking it's peg-like teeth into the coiled shell, a ravenous mosasaur would extract the ammonites squid-shaped body and devour it, discarding the empty shell which then sank to the sea floor. This is where fortunate circumstances came together to create specific conditions for the next step in the birth of a gemstone. |
| Settling on the sea bottom, the empty ammonite shell was buried in mineral-rich sediment carried there by rivers and streams from the young Rocky Mountains. During the fossilization process the sediment not only preserved the shell but also enhanced the shell's colors into iridescent greens, reds, yellows, and rare blues and violets. In 1981, the International Colored Gemstone Commission (ICGC) recognized this new organic gemstone as Ammolite. With finite supply in a very specific area and only one in a hundred of the preserved shells yielding few gemstones, Ammolite is the rarest gemstone in the world! |
DON'T BE MISLED BY THE QUANTITY OF THE AMMONITES OFFERED ON MY PAGES... THESE ARE RARE AMMONITES AND THE SPECIMENS I HAVE REPRESENT AT LEAST 1 YEARS TOTAL FINDS!!!
THE WHITE AREAS ARE LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE AMMONITE
Last Modified 04/01/2009
| Return to Index | Main Ammonite Page | Questions? |
| Canadian Ammonite Page 1 | Canadian Page Ammonite 5 | |
| Canadian Page Ammonite 2 | ||
| Canadian Page Ammonite 3 | ||
| Canadian Page Ammonite 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras intercalare
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: Very nice, fully inflated RARE Intercalare ammonite that has lots of Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Greens, Blues and Purples! This specimen measures 6 5/8" wide. This specimen has been inspected by the Alberta Government and will come with a letter indicating that this specimen was collected legally. This specimen would be the centerpiece for the most advanced collection!!Canada Ammonite 11 Price $4500.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras intercalare
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: Very nice, ammonite that has lots of Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Greens, Blues and Purples! The top of this ammonite is very thin, and the bottom is nice and plump.. very cool specimen. This specimen measures 10 1/4" wide.This specimen has been inspected by the Alberta Government and will come with a letter indicating that this specimen was collected legally. This specimen would be the centerpiece for the most advanced collection!!Canada Ammonite 12 Price $7800.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras intercalare
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: This is a nice, flattened specimen. It is very thin, and displays mostly Reds, Greens and Yellows. There appear to be a couple of bite marks present, presumably from a Mososaur. This is a large specimen measuring approx. 13" wide!! This specimen has been inspected by the Alberta Government and will come with a letter indicating that this specimen was collected legally. This specimen would be the centerpiece for the most advanced collection!!Canada Ammonite 13 Price $7500.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: 9 3/4" in diameter. This ammonite displays lots of "bites" on both sides. It has great shape and displays bright reds, oranges, yellows and greens. It also has some suture lines peeking through. Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 50 (775) Price $8,800.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: 11 ½” in diameter This ammonite displays lots of great color on both sides. It has great shape and displays bright reds, oranges, yellows and greens. Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 12 (846) Price $8,800.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: 9" in diameter. All colors present, even blues and purples. Great shape, nice and plump ammonite. Gorgeous bright colors throughout. Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 16 (333) Price $15,000.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: This is a GORGEOUS SPECIMEN with RICH, VIBRANT COLORS! Lots of Blues, Greens, Yellows, Oranges and Reds... The ammonite measures approx. 18" wide x 15" tall.. a HUGE AMMONITE! The shape is excellent with incredible shell details present.. This specimen has been inspected by the Alberta Government and will come with a letter indicating that this specimen was collected legally. This is a BARGAIN for the right collector!!Canada Ammonite 2 Price $18,888.00
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: This is a GORGEOUS SPECIMEN with RICH, VIBRANT COLORS! Lots of Blues, Greens, Yellows, Oranges and Reds... The ammonite measures approx. 17.5" wide x 15" tall.. a HUGE AMMONITE! The shape is excellent with STUNNING SHELL DETAILS PRESENT!!.. This specimen has been inspected by the Alberta Government and will come with a letter indicating that this specimen was collected legally. This specimen would be the centerpiece for the most advanced collection!!Canada Ammonite 3 Price $45,000.00