Ammolite: Extremely Rare and Beyond Compare
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Ammolite: Extremely Rare and Beyond Compare
Ammolite is a gemstone from prehistoric origins. It is harder to find than a tanzanite gem stone, and the value of ammolite has increased dramatically. Each ammolite gemstone has its own display of amazing colors.
As one of the rarest gemstones now in existence, in addition to bixbite and zultanite, the supply of top-grade ammolite could run out within 15-20 years. Mined almost exclusively by Alberta, Canada, Korite International (90% of the world’s supply comes from this company), ammolite is sometimes called Korite, or Korite ammolite. However, only 5% of the loose gemstones that are mined are able to be used for jewelry due to the fragile nature of the stones.
Glowing with all the colors of the rainbow, ammolite
 is a rare, opal-like gemstone that comes from the fossilized shell of ammonites—a group of marine animals that had no vertebrae and were protected by a hard shell, which was usually spiral. The ammonite ranged in size from under one inch to 36 inches in diameter.Ammonites lived in prehistoric waters next to the Rocky Mountains and became extinct 65 million years ago. The largest deposits of gem-quality ammolite are located near Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, and south to Montana in the United States. Most of the deposits are located on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
According to Wikipedia, the internet's free encyclopedia,
 "Ammolite is made of the fossilized shells of ammonites, which are composed primarily of aragonite, which is the same mineral that makes up nacreous pearls. The thicker the layers of aragonite, the more red and green are produced. Thinner layers of aragonite yield blue and violet colors. Red and green are the most commonly seen. Ammolite is one of three biogenic gemstones, the other two being amber and pearl. In 1981, ammolite was given official gemstone status by The World Jewelry Confederation and by CIBJO (International Commission of Colored Gemstones). It is considered the rarest organic gem material."
Two groups of people believe ammolite has “powers.”
The Blackfeet Tribe of northwestern Montana believe that it has healing powers and use the gemstone in their medicinal rituals. Feng Shui advocates believe ammolite detoxifies the body and enhances the body’s flow of energy (chi). Red, green, and yellow are the colors they most want. According to them, red enhances growth, green increases wisdom, and yellow creates wealth.
The grade and value of ammolite gemstones, whether as loose gemstones or set into bracelets, earrings, pendants, or rings, is measured by the amount of primary colors, how bright/iridescent the colors are, the “play” of the colors (a more valuable stone resembles a prism in the light and maintains the same color play when rotated in a 360 degree turn), and layer thickness when polished.
According to The Savvy Traveler Travel Journal, produced by Discover Shopping, “Ammolite has six grades of quality: AA, A+, A, Standard, B, and C.
AA…...Gem must have three or more brilliant colors. Blue, gold, crimson, and violet are very desirable.
A+…..Two or more bright colors known as ‘Extra Fine’ grade.
A……At least one distinct color or play of color.
Standard…Yellows and greens are common with this grade. Colors and color changes are less distinct than A grade.
B……Contains faint colors/play of colors. Poor brilliance.
C……Commercial grade, faint color patches. Lowest quality, not generally suited for jewelry purposes.”
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