beautiful, polished ammonite with calcite crystals

A polished ammonite from Morocco with calcite crystals in the growth chambers. A paleontological multi-mineral composition, the polished cut surface simultaneously reveals the spiral stratigraphy and the crystallinely filled chambers.

Ammonites are extinct cephalopods from the Mesozoic Era, approximately 200 to 66 million years ago. The Moroccan Atlas deposits in Erfoud provide premium material. The polished cut surface reveals the internal septal structure of the spiral shell.

The embedded calcite crystals document a secondary mineralization phase after the death of the animal. Calcium carbonate solutions penetrated the empty shell chambers and crystallized into clear calcite scalenohedra.

A compact collector's size for desk or display cabinet presentation. The polished exterior and the chamber crystals create an expressive contrast between organic form and crystalline mineral secondary infill.