Jurasic Iridescent Ammonite
Occasionally a few Ammonites have sufficient actual shell nacre remaining that after 100s of millions of years later, they can have amazing iridescence showing several colors of great intensity. The non-scientific 'gemology' term for these rare and extremely sought after bits of shell is known as Amolite. Large specimens are sadly sometimes broken up and polished to be sold as jewelry. This medium sized ammonite shows primarily red and green, while some can also show blue, purple and even yellow. As in the Morpho Butterfly, the colors are produced by crystalline formations in the shell, and change with the angle of view, and can be very bright, and are not from pigments. Ammonites are cousins of the Chambered Nautilus, both being related to squid and octopus, and are NOT sea snails. While the walls between chambers in the Nautilus are smoothly rounded, the Ammonite chambers can be very complex producing wonderful patterns. Colors not enhanced.
Jurasic Iridescent Ammonite
Occasionally a few Ammonites have sufficient actual shell nacre remaining that after 100s of millions of years later, they can have amazing iridescence showing several colors of great intensity. The non-scientific 'gemology' term for these rare and extremely sought after bits of shell is known as Amolite. Large specimens are sadly sometimes broken up and polished to be sold as jewelry. This medium sized ammonite shows primarily red and green, while some can also show blue, purple and even yellow. As in the Morpho Butterfly, the colors are produced by crystalline formations in the shell, and change with the angle of view, and can be very bright, and are not from pigments. Ammonites are cousins of the Chambered Nautilus, both being related to squid and octopus, and are NOT sea snails. While the walls between chambers in the Nautilus are smoothly rounded, the Ammonite chambers can be very complex producing wonderful patterns. Colors not enhanced.