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| 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 04/10/2008
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(Click Photo's to Enlarge)
Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: This specimen is extremely beautiful and bright. It measures approximately 17” (43cm.) in diameter and shows all colors of the spectrum. It displays quite a lot of blues along with reds, oranges, yellows and greens. One side has a lot more blues than the other, but a full spectrum is visible on both sides. It is absolutely awesome and is about as good as the Canadian ammonites get! Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 16 (853) Price $46,000.00
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Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: Wonderful specimen that measures 19 ½” in diameter. Tons of blues and purples present! Greens and turquoises as well... Fields of nice solid colors Excellent shape. This specimen has a big bulge in it at 12o’clock that is believed to be the jaws inside the animal! Very rare!! This specimen is number #3 (820) and comes with a certificate of authenticity with that number.Canada Ammonite 3 (820) Price $32,800.00
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Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: 21 1/2" in diameter. Very large and very plump ammonite displaying lots of color. Areas of extremely bright colors and nice, detailed ribbing. Reds, oranges, yellows , greens present with a fair amount of blues. Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 39 (821) Price $28,000.00
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Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: Specimen measures just under 12" in diameter. A very bright ammonite with lots of Reds, oranges, yellows, greens with a touch of blues as well. Good shape Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 89 (770) Price $22,000.00
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Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: 9 1/2" on a matrix measuring approximately 15" X 12" very bright ammonite displaying reds, oranges, yellows and greens with excellent shape. Evidence of bite mark near center whorl Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 21 (791) Price $17,000.00
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Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: An ammonite measuring just over 9” in diameter (approximately 23 ½ cm.) in a natural rock matrix measuring approximately 28” (72cm.) wide and 27” (68cm.) tall. This ammonite has excellent shape and displays red, oranges, yellows, greens and a fair amount of blues and purples. Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 29 (840) Price $18,800.00
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Name: Placenticeras intercalare
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: It measures approximately 5 ½” (13.5cm.) in diameter in a natural rock matrix measuring approximately 25 ½” (65cm.) X 21” (53cm.) It has excellent shape and shows all the colors of the spectrum with lots of blues. It is very beautiful Comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. This number has been assigned by and recorded by the Alberta Government.Canada Ammonite 26 (814) Price $8,800.00
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Name: Placenticeras meeki
Geologic Age: CretaceousStratigraphic detail: Bearpaw FormationLocation: Southern Alberta, CanadaComments: It is absolutely stunning and one of the nicest I have ever seen! It has almost perfect shape, including the living chamber, and displays every color in the spectrum. It has beautiful ribbing with lots of reds, oranges, yellows, greens and blues. It measures just over 6” in diameter (approximately 16cm.) in a rock matrix measuring about 30” wide (77cm.) X 21” tall (53cm.).Canada Ammonite ( ) Price $16,800.00