Ammolite

An Ammolite piece from Canada, Alberta. The open shell fragment form, without any faceting, directly displays the raw material, a rarer presentation than processed jewelry pieces.

Raw Ammolite shows the original shell geometry of the Placenticeras ammonite: concentric growth lines and the natural play of iridescence over the irregular outer surface. Such raw pieces are valuable both paleontologically and gemmologically.

The Bearpaw Formation in Alberta is the world's only commercially mined Ammolite source. Other deposits in Madagascar, Russia, and the USA produce structurally similar material, but without the iridescent quality typical of Bearpaw Ammolite.

Processing as unstabilized raw material requires careful handling; Ammolite is mechanically delicate (Mohs 3.5-4.5) and should be protected from pressure and impacts.

A Canadian collector's piece with unprocessed shell geometry and premium paleontological authenticity.