Ammolite Pendant

Description

Antiqued sterling silver pendant features an ammolite cabochon protected by a layer of clear resin. A sterling silver flower and leaves adorn the bottom, with beaded accents on either side as well as the bail. The pendant comes with a 16″ long distressed brown 3mm leather cord with sterling silver hardware. If you need a different cord length please let me know.

Measurements: About 1-1/4″ wide by 2-1/8″ long including bail.

Ammolite is a rare material, an opal-like organic gemstone found primarily along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is made of the fossilized shells of ammonites, which in turn are composed primarily of aragonite, the same mineral contained in nacre, with a microstructure inherited from the shell. It is one of few biogenic gemstones; others include amber and pearl. All of the world’s commercial production comes from a small area along the St. Mary River in southwestern Alberta, Canada. There, two companies mine Ammolite from thin layers in the Bearpaw Formation where the ammonite fossils are found. Ammolite is a trade name given to a thin iridescent aragonite shell material that is found on two species of extinct ammonite fossils (Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare). Other less-frequently used trade names for Ammolite are “Calcenite” and “Korite.” It is also known simply as “ammonite shell.”