Ammolite Pendant

Ammolite pendant set in silver

Size approx. 2.5 x 1 cm + silver eyelet

You buy exactly this shown Ammolite Pendant

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 Calcentine or Korite
In the languages of the native Blackfoot Indian tribes there, the stone is called Aapoak (small, creeping stone in the Kainai language because of the play of color)
or Iniskim ("buffalo stone").

Ammolite consists mainly of aragonite, which comes directly from the original nacre in the shells of ammonites
Besides aragonite, calcite, quartzite, pyrite and other minerals occur in variable proportions

Due to the layered structure of the aragonite preserved from the original nacre, opalescence is evident
This is caused by interference in thin layers, as in soap bubbles or oil spots, not by an inherent colour or refraction of light
The color depends on the thickness of the layer: thick layers yield red and green interference colors, thin layers also yield blue and yellow tones.

Like the original shell, ammolite is only present in a very thin (0.5-0.8 mm) layer,
this is usually on a grey-brown matrix of shale, calcareous marl, or limestone
The rock was compressed by overlying sediment layers, 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 stained glass window-like
Ammolite from deeper layers can also be completely smooth or show a ripple-like surface.

Origin: Rocky Mountains in Alberta / Canada

Worth knowing: Hardly any ammolite has such a high quality that they would not have 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 helps prevent new cracks from forming. 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 appeal and attraction,
Ammolite is said to arouse interest in secrets and to dissolve mental fixations..