Vandervelde, along with two partners, mines the material from April to October along the banks of the St. To subscribe click here.Although traces of these long-ago ammonite mollusks have been discovered all over the world, Vandervelde said commercial quantities of gem-quality ammolite have been found in only two deposits, both in southern Alberta. He concludes, “Companies like Diamonds International, which sell ammolite along the cruise ship ports, have helped to increase its popularity.”Īrticle from the Rapaport Magazine - February 2017. “Awareness has increased 300 percent over the past decade,” Clowater says. According to Chant, “Ammolite triplets retail from about $200 and up, depending upon the quality.”Īmmolite was certified by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) in 1981. A is bright in color and has matrix lines present. Ammolite sold as AA is extra bright in color and has fine matrix lines present. These stones are very rare, with vivid colors and no visible matrix. The top-quality AAA, Clowater says, is comparable to a D flawless diamond. The bold colors of the ammolite against the white mammoth ivory make the colors even more vivid.Īmmolite gemstones are marketed in three qualities, from AAA to A. Clowater notes, “Ammolite creates a stunning visual on the wall.” Chant also sells triplets and free-form shapes of ammolite and pieces set in mammoth ivory and dinosaur bone. Korite also offers decor items featuring ammolite gem fossils for wall hangings in various sizes up to 30 inches. Free-form shapes are also very popular, according to Clowater. When you add a spinel or quartz top, it increases the hardness to 8.5, making it much more durable.”Īmmolite earrings and pendants are most popular in ovals and teardrop shapes. Clowater points out, “Ammolite material is about 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale. Noting problems that can affect mining, he says, “Water is the biggest impediment to mining, because if it rains a lot or all the snow melts, it goes down into the pit and the walls will cave in making mining impossible.” and, also mines ammolite and produces finished jewelry. Tom Chant, president of Enchanted Designs, Ltd. While Korite is the largest mining operation, there are smaller companies that also mine ammolite along the St. After Korite has reclaimed the site, there is literally no way to tell we were ever there.” Once it is unearthed, the layers are placed back along with the topsoil.” Clowater continues, “Lastly, we plant grasses native to the area before livestock and horses are returned to the pasture. Once we find the ammolite, it becomes more of an archeological dig site with the gem material being meticulously removed with hand tools. We use heavy equipment to peel back the layers of overburden that get laid to the side. Clowater describes the company’s efforts to mine ammolite with the goal of returning mined land to its original state: “There is no scientific way to identify the deposits, so we have to trench, drill core samples and do test holes to find it. Mining ammolite doesn’t require blasting and deep mining like other minerals. Korite mines over 90 percent of the world’s total ammolite production, which is about 8 million carats a year.

Finally, there is a great deal of iron and magnesium in the soil, which may be a factor as to how the stone was created from the shell. This may also contribute to the more vivid colors present in the ammolite.

The depth of sediment in which the ammonites are buried is deeper in Alberta along the St. Research has shown that there are several factors as to why ammolite is found in this region. sales for Alberta-based Korite, a mining company and the largest commercial producer of ammonite, says, “Alberta is the only place in the world that ammolite gemstone can be found.” However, Richard Clowater, vice president of U.S. Remnants and fossils of this mollusk can be found all over the world. Ammonites were abundant in Canada during the Cretaceous period, about 65 million years ago. It is a multicolored stone with different shades beginning and ending distinctively next to each other, contrasting and complementing at the same time.Īmmolite comes from the outer shell of the ammonite, an ancient marine mollusk.

Ammolite is treasured by connoisseurs and Feng Shui masters.īuried within the layers of gray shale and sediment at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the southern part of Alberta, Canada, is ammolite, a unique gemstone in iridescent colors of vibrant red, orange, blue and green.

Korite ammonite