Ammolite Necklaces
When we think of gemstone jewelry, many beautiful gems come to mind. Some of one color, some vibrant with many colors. But have many people ever heard of ammonite jewelry? One of the most beautiful and sought after gems in the world, is mined almost exclusively in western Canada, in the province of Alberta. It is a natural gem, created by millions of years of fossilization of mollusk shells.
Noted as one of the rarest gems in the world, there are deposits that exist in other parts of the world. In one very small area in Alberta is where 90% of the worlds product is mined as the gem ammonite. Ammonite is actually the generic name given to this gem centuries ago. It was so named after the Egyptian God of life and reproduction, Ammon. At the current rate of mining and given the amount available, it is expected that the supply of ammonite will be depleted in about 20 years time.
Fragments of these stones, referred to as buffalo stones by North American Indians, were carried in medicine bags to represent health, and good hunting. Today these beautiful gems are made into exquisite rare jewelry in the form of stunning necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets.
Interestingly enough, this jewelry can be found in stores worldwide, at least until stocks are depleted.
Beautiful jewelry made from this unique mineral are opalescent in nature. Only a select few pass the strict grading process to become stunning jewelry in the end. Gems chosen to be later made into jewelry, will have high reflecting ability, no cracks and scratches, and be of a good colour composition. The next time you are in a jewelry store and come across a gemstone piece that looks like the rainbow, you may be looking at a rare and beautiful ammonite gemstone piece.