Ammonite to Ammolite History
Ammonites were an amazing species of ancient Cephalopods or Mollusks (Squid) that successfully lived from approximately 62 million to approximately 200 million years ago. Ammonites were an intelligent species that spread around the globe leaving us with a rich fossil history. Ammonites can be seen in museums around the world showcasing the hundreds of different species. Ammonites and their iconic “Swirl” are recognized by Native American’s as Buffalo Stone. Ammonite’s have a rich history with many cultural references throughout the world.
The world was a different looking place back in the Cretaceous Period. Canada had the Western Interior Seaway. It was this Seaway that made possible for Alberta to secure its place in history as the Ammolite Capital of the world. The Seaway created a highway for the Ammonites to travel freely. The Seaway eventually receded trapping many Ammonites. The Ammonites perished and their bodies lay ready for the historic events that lied ahead.
The Bearpaw Formation is located primarily in Alberta, Canada but does reach Montana and Saskatchewan. This Formation is where the Seaway Ammonites carcasses were deposited. Over millions of years the outside of the Ammonite Shell turned into Gemstone! Alberta is the only place in the world to show Ammonites producing multi-colored shimmering gemstone. Ammolite is created from the fossilized remains of the Ammonite. Ammolite was recognized as a gemstone in 1981, by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and is one of the top ten rarest Organic gemstones on Earth.
If you would like to see how Ammonite is mined and produced into Ammolite go to the video’s section of our website! Click on the “Alberta Fossil Family Series” for a comprehensive, educative and entertaining look at mining for Ammonite!
The world was a different looking place back in the Cretaceous Period. Canada had the Western Interior Seaway. It was this Seaway that made possible for Alberta to secure its place in history as the Ammolite Capital of the world. The Seaway created a highway for the Ammonites to travel freely. The Seaway eventually receded trapping many Ammonites. The Ammonites perished and their bodies lay ready for the historic events that lied ahead.
The Bearpaw Formation is located primarily in Alberta, Canada but does reach Montana and Saskatchewan. This Formation is where the Seaway Ammonites carcasses were deposited. Over millions of years the outside of the Ammonite Shell turned into Gemstone! Alberta is the only place in the world to show Ammonites producing multi-colored shimmering gemstone. Ammolite is created from the fossilized remains of the Ammonite. Ammolite was recognized as a gemstone in 1981, by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and is one of the top ten rarest Organic gemstones on Earth.
If you would like to see how Ammonite is mined and produced into Ammolite go to the video’s section of our website! Click on the “Alberta Fossil Family Series” for a comprehensive, educative and entertaining look at mining for Ammonite!