Alberta-mined Ammolite gemstones are rare, brilliantly colourful, organic and currently undervalued
by Rachel Boekel
There's a little-known connection between one of Alberta's most beautiful souvenirs and strange-looking creatures that swam in a warm sea covering this prairie and mountain province some 75 millions years ago.
Back when dinosaurs were still thundering about on Earth, a squid-like sea creature called an Ammonite was dodging the wrath of its underwater predator, the Mosasaurs, an alligator-like monster, in the depth of Alberta's Bearpaw Sea. That ancient Ammonite, ranging in size from a dime to an extra large Frisbee, is an ancestor of today's squid. Wrapped in a snail-like shell, the creature roamed the Earth's seas during the Pre-Cretaceous period. However, only in Alberta did the Ammonite resurface 75 million years later as a brilliant gem.
Who knew that one of the world's more precious gems lay 15 feet underground in Southern Alberta. Described as rarer than diamonds, and substantially undervalued, this radiant fossil is slowly coming into its own.
Ammolite is the internationally recognized name of this gemstone, a slight variation from its fossil name, Ammonite.
Ammolite is the gemstone derived from ammonite fossils that are up to 75 million years old. The fossil is mined under strict guidelines in Southern Alberta, and is classified a cultural product by the Province.
Ammolites are only one of a few precious gems in the world known as organic gemstones, meaning they originate from living organisms. This joins the Ammolite with the ranks of pearls, coral, amber, ivory bone, and more.
Their radiant array of colours can be credited to the minerals brought in from fresh water sources near the shore lines of the Bearpaw Sea. During their fossilization process, the sediment under which they became buried not only preserved their shells but also attributed to the iridescent greens, yellows, reds, blues and violets that are now particular to the gemstone.
Richard Morgan of Canmore's Ammonite Gem Factory works to bring out the brilliant colours of an ammolite gemstone.
The sea creature's name is derived from the great Egyptian God, Ammon, whose twisted spiral horns were suggestive of the Ammonite's shell. It was the Blackfoot Indians of Alberta, however, who first came across the actual gemstone.
The Blackfoot Indians named the fossil Buffalo Stone, and believed the multicolored stone signified wealth and abundance. The local native legend has it that during an abnormally severe winter the buffalo disappeared and the tribe was on the verge of starvation. While searching for firewood, a woman heard singing and followed it to an Ammolite under a cottonwood tree.
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Ammolite gemstones are a rare and beautiful souvenir of Alberta. They are used in the creation of many beautiful jewellery pieces, like this brilliant pendant.
She was told by the gem that it had powerful medicinal values, and if she brought it back to her tribe, it would provide them with food. The next day a herd of Buffalo was spotted near the camp. The gem provided for the Blackfoot tribe throughout the rest of the winter and because of it they were able to survive. The jewel continues to be used in Bison hunting ceremonies.
Ammolite is often mistaken as a stone, says Darleen Broadfoot, who works for Freyas Jewellery in Banff's Clock Tower Mall. She often assures buyers that Ammolites are anything but that. "It is definitely not a rock. People often mistake it for a rock, though." Broadfoot sells Ammolite at the store and recounts that its most endearing quality is that "all it needs is a place where people can walk by it and see the colour changes."
The International Coloured Gemstone Commission only officially recognized Ammolite as a gem in 1981. As a fairly new gem its celebrity status has yet to be completely heightened, and although it is a Canadian Gem, its popularity lies primarily within the Asian community. The Chinese, who are more that just mesmerized by the Ammolite's brilliant colours, believe it co-exists with their Feng-Shui lifestyle.
Richard Morgan, president of the Ammonite Gem Factory in Canmore, describes the Asian interest in the gemstone as "unique, they believe the Ammolite signifies wealth and abundance. As well, some people believe it has metaphysical powers." It is believed that the different colours found within the Ammolite have a variety of positive effects on the body and spirit.
The limited supply of Ammolite can be traced to the small number of mines in the world; there are only a handful, all of which are located in Southern Alberta. The mining process is quite simple, with one person digging with a Backhoe, and two spotters sifting through the debris searching for signs of colour and shape of the Ammonite. Morgan, who rents mining land from the Crown, allowing him to have a mine-direct store, explains that "what most people aren't aware of is that fossils are a 'cultural product,' therefore the Crown takes royalties."
As a 'cultural product' the Tyrell Museum also has a big say in which Ammonites go out for sale and which are brought back to the museum near Drumheller in southern Alberta to be studied. Specifically ones with Mosasaur bites and other such markings are of great interest to them.
Despite its current lack of popularity, its rarity and limited supply has the price of the gem ranging anywhere from $50 to $70,000. It is estimated by Morgan that in eight years the Ammolite gems could be completely mined.
Unique only to Alberta, not many Canadians are fully aware of its existence, and are less aware of its limited supply and rarity amongst the world most precious gems.
Rachel Boekel is a photojournalist living in Canmore, but occasionally yearning for the lively hustle and bustle of New York City, where she recently completed a photo internship.
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