Ammolite Grading
Ammolite is meticulously graded to reflect its natural brilliance, range of colour, and overall clarity. This grading system helps distinguish the finest specimens of this rare gemstone, which can vary dramatically in visual impact and rarity. There are four primary grades: AAA, AA, A, and Standard.
The top two grades, AAA and AA, are exceptionally scarce — together representing only 3–5% of global annual production. These stones exhibit the most vivid, full-spectrum iridescence, with colours that seem to dance and shift in the light. Specifically, top grade ammolite showcases the full colour spectrum. The surfaces display exceptional clarity and minimal natural interruption, making them the most coveted for high-end jewelry, collectors, and connoisseurs.
Grades A and Standard, while more common, still possess the unique beauty and energy that make Ammolite extraordinary. They may feature fewer colours or slightly softer brilliance, but each stone remains a genuine piece of Earth’s ancient artistry — formed over 70 million years in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
This careful grading process allows artisans, collectors, and jewelry lovers to appreciate the full spectrum of Ammolite’s natural diversity, from the most luminous top-tier gems to the more subtle, yet equally storied, stones.
AAA
Vivid colours from any angle. Well defined rainbow. No visible matrix lines.
AA
Extra bright colours. Three colours visible. Fine matrix lines.
A
Bright colour. Two colours visible. Visible matrix lines.
Standard
Single colour. Prominently one colour, sometimes two. Visible matrix lines.
FAQs about Ammolite
Where is Ammolite found?
The majority of our ammonite is sourced from the Bearpaw formation near Lethbridge Alberta, Canada.
How was Ammolite formed?
Millions of years of tectonic pressure created this beautiful gem from the fossilized remains of the ammonites that were buried here millions of years ago.
What is the difference between ammonite and ammolite?
Ammonite is the actual fossil.
Ammolite is the gemstone cut from that fossil.
How old is Ammolite?
Ammolite is typically around 71 Million years or more.
Is Ammolite mined ethically?
After mining, the layers of soil are carefully replaced in the order they were removed. The native grasses are then replanted and the natural environment is restored during the reclamation process.
When did Ammolite officially become a gemstone?
In 1981, Ammolite was awarded official gem status by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO).
Ammolite Feng Shui
For centuries, Feng Shui masters and energy healers have revered Ammolite as powerful vessels of universal knowledge and energy. Their natural spiral formation mirrors the Fibonacci sequence, often called the golden spiral — a shape that echoes the very pathways along which the forces of the universe are believed to flow. Within each inner whorl, energy is thought to be gathered and then released outward in a centrifugal motion, radiating harmony and vitality to its surroundings.
Ammolite, the gemstone derived from ancient Ammonite fossils, carries these same energetic properties to those who wear it. Its vivid, iridescent colours are said to stimulate creativity, wisdom, vitality, and prosperity, bringing balance not only to the individual but also to their environment.
Central to Ammolite’s allure is its dynamic spectrum of colours — a natural phenomenon that has earned it the name “Seven Colour Prosperity Stone.” Each hue within its radiant surface is believed to hold unique meaning:
- Orange – increases libido and creativity
- Purple – gives more authority and power
- Red – stimulates energy and growth
- Green – better fertility, wisdom, growth, and success in business
- Yellow – better health and brings balance
- Blue – brings better knowledge, peace, health, and faith
Together, these colours form a vibrant tapestry of energy, making Ammolite not only a rare and beautiful gemstone, but also a symbol of universal harmony, abundance, and transformation.
Ammolite and the Blackfoot
In Blackfoot tradition, Ammolite is revered as Iniskim, also known as the Buffalo Stone — a sacred talisman believed to bring good fortune, protection, and abundance. This name reflects the stone’s profound connection to the land and its enduring spiritual significance for the Indigenous peoples of the Canadian Rockies.
For generations, Iniskim has been cherished not only for its beauty but for its role as a symbol of guidance, prosperity, and cultural identity. Its presence in ceremony and storytelling continues to honour the deep relationship between people, place, and the natural world.
For those wishing to explore this history further, the children’s book “The Legend of the Buffalo Stone” offers a beautiful introduction to the cultural legacy of this extraordinary gem.
