Fossilized Ammonites, Ammonoid cephalopod fossils belong to the order Ammoniated and are characterized by a thick, ornamented shell with sutures (seams) and finely divided lobes and saddles.
Ammonite has incredible natural design patterns so are popular to make into stunning earrings or pendants.
Ammonite gemstone is the fossil remains of an extinct sea creature and known as organic gemstone called ammolite which was classified as a gemstone in 1981.
Ammonites have a cephalopod and are related to Cuttlefish, squid and nautilus that became extinct over 70,000,000 years ago in the Cretaceous period.
The international coloured gemstone CIBJO has only recognized five other gemstones that are organic including pearls, coral, Amber, Jet.
These were once all living creatures.
Ammonite has been compared to opal as structure formation is iridescence Ammonite rocks mineral specimens are popular as natural pattern is unique as each ammonite specimen
Ammolite shell is composed of aragonite, same material that makes pearls.
Ammolite is also known as Ammonite shell, Gem ammonite, Korite, Calcentine, Appoak.
Gemstone wholesalers offer this stone at wholesale prices on mineral auctions
CHEMISTRY Variable, may include aragonite, calcite, silica, pyrite, or other minerals CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Amorphous REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.52 - 1.68 HARDNESS 4.5 - 5.5 SPECIFIC GRAVITY 2.60 - 2.85 CLEAVAGE None, parting present HEAT SENSITIVE Yes