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Long before the age of the dinosaurs, when most life on earth was found in the oceans, there were literally millions of squid like animals called ammonites, of various sizes, to be found. Over geological eons, the shells of these creatures, after death, formed layers of sediment that fossilized, some of these fossils  with thin shells that lend themselves to polishing, after which they become amongst the rarest gemstones on earth, each one being absolutely unique.

These gems are called Ammolite, made from those fossilized remains, and almost akin to opals in respect of their incredibly  iridescent colors. Mainly to be found in the USA, the Rocky Mountains to be precise, these so-called biogenic gemstones, dubbed as such through their being organic matter , like pearls or amber, Ammolitereceived, in 1981, official status as a gemstone.

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The stunning ways that the colors play visually stems from light interference as it rebounds off tiny plate layers, unlike other gemstones. Extremely thin, and often mistakenly likened to  dragon skin, the appearance of Ammolite is always caused by sediment pressures upon it. These were often such that complete ammolite shells are rarely discovered, more usually just fragments, mostly the aragonite that originally made up the shell structure.

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Totally smooth ammolite, from layers buried much deeper underground,is promoted by practitioners of Feng Shui as mood  enhancers, this incredible jewel always afire with suggested life and movement, despite the almost unimaginable age. The multi-hued gemstones are always breathtaking, though only those from the deepest underground locations ever contain the colors blue and purple, as well as having the distinction of being the thinnest and most fragile,

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Ammolite rings are very much a rarity, being too delicate to be worked much, and almost every piece of jewellery that features it will have a layer of clear material over it as protection for the fragile wonder of these beautiful gems. No other gem comes in such a range of colors and patterns, and most people have never heard of it.

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Soft, like opal and composed of aragonite, like pearls, ammolite is sometimes called the romance stone, full of warmth, fire, life, and unexpected changes. Highly light reactive, angle, intensity, and your viewing stance will all affect the way you see the colors, the stone can go completely dark or completely explode into color as you turn it.

Each piece is unique and different, and you will never find another one exactly like it again, so take a moment to imagine that, if you want to present a loved one with a truly unique natural wonder, you could hardly do better.

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All images with permission