Ammolite is a gemstone made from fossilized shells of the extinct ammonite mollusks, squid-like creatures, found primarily in Southern Alberta. The shells could grow to as large as 1 meter (39 inches) in diameter.

Wouldn’t it be wild to find one of these amazing mollusks while out hiking in Alberta?! Alas, ammolite is not so common. One of the best places to see ammolite is in downtown Calgary Alberta. Of all the gemstones found in Alberta ammolite is the most unique.

Ammolite Gemstone Alberta

Where does Ammolite exist?

Ammolite is rare and the only known source for ammolite is the Bearpaw Formation in Southern Alberta.

Ammolite – fossilized shell of extinct ammonite mollusks – Glenbow Museum in Calgary Alberta

More specifically ammolite exists along the St Mary River where commercial operations mine for ammolite. Korite is a trade name for ammolite, due to marketing by the mining company Korite International Ltd.

According to the International Gem Society “Fossilized ammonites are found all over the world. However, only fossils from three species of these extinct creatures produce the gem-quality material known as ammolite. To date, these fossils are found only in Alberta, Canada.”

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Ammolite close-up of an ammonite fossil – Glenbow Museum in Calgary Alberta

What is ammolite value?

Like diamonds, ammolite value depends on certain qualities. There is no standard set of rules but most grading systems rate color, brightness, and iridescence in order to value ammolite.

Colorful gemstones are the most common use of ammolite.

And Feng Shui practitioners refer to it as the “Seven Color Prosperity Stone”. That’s a little too woo-woo for me but the colors are pretty!

Ammolite stone at Calgary Glenbow Museum

I took the photos of ammolite during my recent visit to Calgary Alberta in July. Touring around the Glenbow Museum in downtown Calgary is a great way to spend an afternoon.

The museum has an impressive collection of minerals including gems, crystals, metals, and fluorescent minerals.

I grew up in Calgary and every year our school took field trips to the Glenbow Museum but I don’t recall viewing the mineral collection so it was interesting to view all of the fascinating samples. The ammolite really caught my eye because the colors are so vibrant and they do seem a bit magical.

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