Ammolite Jewellery Pendant

Ammolite pendant with silver eyelet

Size approx. 2.5 x 2 cm + silver eyelet with 3 mm diameter

Ammolite is a rare opalescent gemstone. It is mainly found on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and consists of the fossil remains of ammonites. Ammolite is also sold under the trade names Calcentin or Korit. In the languages of the local Blackfoot Indian tribes the stone is called Aapoak (small, creeping stone in the language of the Kainai due to the play of colours) or Iniskim ("buffalo stone").

Ammolite consists mainly of aragonite, which comes directly from the original mother of pearl in the shells of the ammonites.
Besides aragonite, calcite, quartzite, pyrite and other minerals are found in variable proportions.

Due to the layered structure of the aragonite obtained from the original mother-of-pearl, an opalescence can be seen. This is caused by interference in thin layers, such as in soap bubbles or oil stains, not by an inherent colour or refraction of light.
The colour depends on the thickness of the layer: thick layers provide red and green interference colours, thin layers also provide blue and yellow tones.

Like the original shell, ammolite is only present in a very thin (0.5-0.8 mm) layer,
which is usually on a grey-brown matrix of slate, lime marl or limestone.

Overlying sedimentary layers have compressed the rock, therefore the ammonites are mostly crushed, so that countless cracks form in the thin layer.

This crack texture is sometimes described as dragon skin or church glass window-like. Ammolite from deeper layers can also be completely smooth or show a ripple-like surface.

Origin: Rocky Mountains in Alberta / Canada

Knowledge: Hardly any other ammolite is of such high quality that they would not need to be treated except for cutting and polishing. Most stones are impregnated for stabilization before cutting, so that the sensitive ammolite layer does not flake off. This prevents the formation of new cracks. In addition, the coating is a protection against scratching.
Excerpt from Wikipedia

Ammolite stands for harmony, dignity and splendour, for a sense of beauty, seductive stimulus and attraction, Ammolite should awaken interest in secrets and dissolve mental fixations