Ammolite

Ammolite is an organic gemstone. It is formed by the mineralization of the shell of cephalopods, an ancient squid-like sea creature. Fossilized cephalopods referred to as "ammonites" can be found in through-out the world, but the ones that are found in the Bearpaw Sea (which bordered the Canadian Rocky Mountains) are often found with the rare layer of ammolite gem. Colorful iridescence can be seen in the thin outer aragonite layer of the ammonite shell. When used as a gemstone, this this layer of ammolite gem is affixed on top of a harder stone for stability, commonly shale. This backed stone is referred to as a "doublet". When it is covered with a protective cap of clear quartz, it is referred to as a "triplet". The triplet is the most durable presentation of ammolite as a gemstone.

Folklore: Ammolite has legend that goes back to the Blackfoot tribe of North America. Blackfoot Indian legend tells that Ammolite is a sacred stone that was a gift from the gods. The legend is that during a very harsh winter, a heavy blizzard desimates all of the food reserves of the Blackfoot. With the buffalo herds gone for the winter, the tribe is faced with great famine and starvation. The Great Goddess, upon seeing the plight of the people, sends a message to a Blackfoot princess through a dream. In the dream, the princess is shown where to find a beautiful colored gemstone and told by the Goddess to "take this stone back to your tribe, for its magic will bring with it a huge herd of buffalo that will sustain you through the winter." Upon awakening, the princess sets off on a perilous journey to find the stone in a cave many days travel away. She takes the stone from the cave, awed by its brilliant splendor as the sunlight lit up the iridescent rainbow colors. She travels back to her people with the stone, and on the very next day, the tribe is awoken by immense vibration and sound of running hooves as a herd of over twenty buffalo have returned and the Blackfoot are able to survive through the harsh season. In Blackfoot lore, Ammolite has seen been referred to as the "buffalo stone", signifying wealth and abundance.

Ammolite Jewelry for Sale

Ammolite Gems for Sale