Composition And General Properties Of Ammolite

Ammolite has become a very popular gemstone over the past few years. It is known for its stability and helps in enhancing durability and hardness with plastic or resin. It has been available in the market since 1969, but it was officially mined only after 1981. Almost all the commercial ammolite gemstone comes from Canada. It contains the world’s largest ammolite deposits. Hence the biggest ammolite jewelry company is situated in Canada.

The healing properties of the stone have earned it the name of the magical stone in the world. Indians situated in Canada were already aware of the healing and magical powers of this stone. They even used it as a talisman to hunt buffaloes. Hence it got the name of Buffalo stone or Iniskm.

Ammolite Composition

Ammolite gemstone mainly constitutes aragonite. It may also include minerals like calcite, pyrite, and quartz. As per the mineralogy classification, aragonite contains a carbonate mineral having a chemical composition of CaCO3.

It is known for its great variety of colors. It is majorly available in green and red color. It can also be available in brown, blue, or violet. These colors may be seen individually or can be combinedly present in a single stone. The rarer the color, the more the price of the stone. So far, more than three colors have gained the highest price for this iridescence stone. Ammolite jewelry company uses this colored gemstone to enhance the beauty and value of their jewelry.

It undergoes a rhombic crystallization to make platelet-styled crystals. The thickness of these crystals ranges from 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm. Further, the thickness of the layer decreases as the stone undergoes grinding or processing. The various colors of the stone are due to crystal platelets’ lamellar structure. When light falls on the ammolite, this unique structure causes a colored mirror effect.

This multi-colored gemstone is often mistaken and compared to labradorite and mother of pearl because of its sheen and variegation. It sometimes has a silky gloss. It can also be glassy and opaque when polished. It is brittle. Some specimens of the stone have cracks, breakages, and fine lines. It is relatively soft as its hardness is rated 3.5 to 4 on the MOHS hardness scale. The density ranges from 2.75 to 2.84 g/cm3. Thus a jewelry company can use this stone to make a variety of designer jewelry.

General Properties

Underwater minerals are the source of ammolite gemstone. Hence it is resistant to water. People dealing with Feng Shui use this stone and consider it sacred. The rocks cover the stone, giving it a form of a shell. It helps in maintaining life balance. It is very famous in the fashion world. A jewelry company generally uses it for making necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Its energy is responsible for natural healing processes.

Because of its origin from the water, it purifies and livens up the water. Immersing some specimens of ammolite in a pond activates the self-cleaning power of the water. Thus it requires less amount of chlorine in private or public swimming pools. It helps in avoiding unpleasant odors and burning eyes often caused by the chlorine in the pool.

Heating systems famously use this stone. These stones are not used for burning but used in neutralizing the water, providing its lost strength. It helps in reducing lime deposits in tap water, thus improving its taste.

Occurrence

Ammolite gemstone was discovered as Placenticerasmeeki and intercalary species that were alive in the Cretaceous period. It was considered the mother-of-pearl of fossils. It is in a fossilized state. Hence it is intact in its exact form and has not been decomposed yet. Upon death, the ammonites were settled in the bottom of the sea and covered by a heap of sands. Furthermore, due to the volcanic eruptions, it also got layered with volcanic ash called sedimentation material.

Due to the immense impact of these sediment layers, the oxygen supply terminated. Hence it prevented the decaying of ammonites. The layers of limestone covered the soft tissues.

It also led to the retention of mineral coating of ammolite. Its presence is restricted to a few sites, like Canada, Madagascar, and Austria. Canada is the biggest producer of this stone because of its high reserves.

Conclusion

The unique features and properties of Ammolite gemstone have made it the most sought stone in the jewelry market. A jewelry company procures this gemstone noticing its increasing demands in the market. Hence, there is an immense increase in ammolite jewelry companies across the world. DWS Jewellery, situated in RIICO Industrial Area in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is one leading jewelry company famous for its rich collection and designs.