{"product_id":"rainbow-iridescent-ammonite-fossil-for-sale-opalescent-ammonite-19645","title":"Rainbow Iridescent Ammonite Fossil 4.5cm","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRainbow Iridescent Ammonite Fossils For Sale\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful\u003cstrong\u003e Polished Iridescent A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003emmonite\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring 4.5cm wide at its widest point, is a very \u003cstrong\u003ewell preserved ammonite fossil\u003c\/strong\u003e from Madagascar which exhibits a dazzling array of vibrant colour. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spectrum of this \u003cstrong\u003eOpalescent Ammonite\u003c\/strong\u003e's rainbow iridescent flash includes flashes of shimmering yellow-gold, emerald green, electric blue, and fiery red: this \u003cstrong\u003eRainbow Ammonite\u003c\/strong\u003e displays an even wider variety of colour than the already vivacious \u003cstrong\u003eRed Iridescent Ammonite\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Are Ammonites? \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmmonites\u003c\/strong\u003e are a group of extinct molluscs which somewhat resembled a shelled squid when they were alive. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese \u003cstrong\u003eancient sea creatures\u003c\/strong\u003e had tentacles like the modern octopus, and spiral shells like Nautilus creatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey first appeared on the fossil record 240 million years ago, in the \u003cstrong\u003eTriassic Period\u003c\/strong\u003e, and died out 65 million years ago with the dinosaurs during the \u003cstrong\u003eCretaceous-Tertiary Mass Extinction Event\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003efossilised remains\u003c\/strong\u003e of these sea creatures are perhaps the most \u003cstrong\u003epopular fossils\u003c\/strong\u003e on the market today. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular ammonite is a member of the \u003cstrong\u003eCleoniceras\u003c\/strong\u003e species of ammonites. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Old Are Ammonites? \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ammonite dates back to the \u003cstrong\u003eCretaceous Period\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning it is 120 million years old. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere Do You Find Iridescent Ammonites? \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ammonite was originally found in the jungles of Mahajanga on the North West Coast of \u003cstrong\u003eMadagascar\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMadagascar is famed for its riches of fossils and natural diversity, and a wide variety of fossils and crystals can be found there. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGem quality iridescent ammonite shells\u003c\/strong\u003e are most famously found in Canada, where they are called '\u003cstrong\u003eAmmolite\u003c\/strong\u003e'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmmolite\u003c\/strong\u003e is the official gemstone of Alberta. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow The Ammonites Became Fossils\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen an ammonite creature died, it became fossilised in the process as follows: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmmonite bodies sunk into the seabed \u003cstrong\u003esediment\u003c\/strong\u003e, and over time the many sediment layers hardened into \u003cstrong\u003erock\u003c\/strong\u003e, preserving the fossils within.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThroughout this process, bacteria decomposed the ammonite bodies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis decomposition affected redox conditions in the marine environment, leading to dissolved \u003cstrong\u003eminerals\u003c\/strong\u003e such as \u003cstrong\u003ecarbonates\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ephosphates\u003c\/strong\u003e becoming less soluble in water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe minerals were precipitated out of the water, and enveloped the ammonite in a solid \u003cstrong\u003econcretion\u003c\/strong\u003e, which ensured the fossil and its \u003cstrong\u003enacreous shell\u003c\/strong\u003e was preserved for thousands of millennia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome minerals seeped into the ammonite remains, leading to \u003cstrong\u003emineral replacements\u003c\/strong\u003e and ornately coloured interiors. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe rock covering the \u003cstrong\u003eammonite fossils\u003c\/strong\u003e was then either naturally eroded, or excavated by humans, to expose the fossils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Are Iridescent Ammonites Made Of?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eiridescent shell\u003c\/strong\u003e of an ammonite is formed from the mineral \u003cstrong\u003eAragonite\u003c\/strong\u003e, a component of \u003cstrong\u003eNacre\u003c\/strong\u003e (also known as \u003cstrong\u003eMother of Pearl\u003c\/strong\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs light bounces back through the layers of Aragonite, a \u003cstrong\u003erainbow spectrum\u003c\/strong\u003e of colour can be observed due to the interplay of light travelling through the layers. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThick layers of Aragonite typically leads to shades of red being observed, such as in \u003cstrong\u003ered iridescent ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e, whilst thinner layers lead to shimmering greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe thinnest layers of Aragonite lead to rare blue and violet hues being observed. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlashing Iridescent Colours Of Ammonites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs you move an iridescent ammonite in the presence of light, one can observe the colours moving, changing, and flashing in what is known as \u003cstrong\u003echromatic shift\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Names For Iridescent Ammonites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIridescent Ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e are sometimes called \u003cstrong\u003eOpalescent Ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e in reference to their opal-like appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to their fiery hues, \u003cstrong\u003eRed Iridescent Ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e are often referred to as \u003cstrong\u003eFire Ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIridescent Ammonites Myth And Legend\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreek myth gifted the \u003cstrong\u003efossils\u003c\/strong\u003e with their famous name; the coiled shell of this ancient marine mollusc resembles the horns of rams, therefore its remains were classified as ‘ammonites’, after the Greek ram god \u003cstrong\u003eAmmon\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ein India, the fossils are still referred to as ‘\u003cstrong\u003eShaligrams\u003c\/strong\u003e’ (or ‘\u003cstrong\u003eSaligrams\u003c\/strong\u003e’) and worshipped as representations of the Hindu God Vishnu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo many Hindus these stones are sacred, for they have the power to expel bad karma and cleanse people of sin before their death, enabling them to enter the afterlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuffalo Stones were thus named because the ammonite was believed to be a good luck talisman which ensured a fruitful buffalo hunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tribe also revered this \u003cstrong\u003egem like fossil\u003c\/strong\u003e for its purported medicinal powers. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIridescent Ammonites Metaphysical Properties\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIridescent ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e, especially those with gem-like shells, are believed to have powerful \u003cstrong\u003emetaphysical properties\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese fossils are believed to bring prosperity, wisdom, and knowledge to their user. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGem ammonites\u003c\/strong\u003e are said to have a detoxifying energy that develops focus and a sense of balance. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIridescent Ammonites Chakras\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIridescent Ammonites are most associated with the \u003cstrong\u003eRoot Chakra\u003c\/strong\u003e due to their strong connection to the Earth as \u003cstrong\u003eorganic gemstones\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen used with this chakra, these stones offer protection, grounding, and stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this reason, they can be used to help strengthen rocky relationships. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIridescent Ammonites In Feng Shui\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMetaphysically, \u003cstrong\u003eFeng Shui\u003c\/strong\u003e masters highly recommend the use of ammonites in the study of their art, and as a way of gaining knowledge, wealth, and prosperity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome Feng Shui practitioners believe ammonites store all the knowledge in the universe, and strengthen people’s \u003cstrong\u003eQi\u003c\/strong\u003e (life force)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe red colours present in their \u003cstrong\u003eiridescent flash\u003c\/strong\u003e signifies vitality, passion, and stimulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSacred Geometry Of Ammonite Spirals\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003esacred geometry\u003c\/strong\u003e, the spiral shape has powerful spiritual significance, and signifies growth and expansion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs \u003cstrong\u003eammonite shells\u003c\/strong\u003e display distinctive spiral shapes, ammonites embody this spiritual meaning of growth too. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn ammonite shell is a perfect example of the sacred \u003cstrong\u003eGolden Mean Spiral\u003c\/strong\u003e, a symbol of the infinite \u003cstrong\u003eFibonacci Sequence \u003c\/strong\u003eand the revered \u003cstrong\u003eGolden Ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, ammonites are believed to be strongly symbolic of order and perfection in not just the natural world, but the entire universe. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow To Take Care Of Iridescent Ammonites\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasuring 4.5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, this stone is rather fragile and great care should be taken not to damage its delicate surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo clean the fossil, simply use water and dry it afterwards with a soft cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake care not to expose iridescent ammonites to heat, cold, or sunlight for too long, because these elements can cause the shell to crack and flake. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIridescent Ammonites Collections\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis stunning \u003cstrong\u003eiridescent ammonite\u003c\/strong\u003e was specially selected for its quality, and was prepared in our workshop in the United Kingdom to enhance its high grade and polish. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its gorgeous shimmering shell, it would make a perfect addition to any \u003cstrong\u003efossil collections\u003c\/strong\u003e, and a great choice for anyone looking for some high-quality \u003cstrong\u003efossil gifts\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy Iridescent Ammonites Online\u003c\/strong\u003e at Madagascan Direct. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Reference Number:\u003c\/em\u003e 19645\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Madagascan Direct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50949905252692,"sku":"19645","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/5766\/9716\/files\/rainbow-iridescent-ammonite-3303.jpg?v=1734011096","url":"https:\/\/www.madagascandirect.com\/products\/rainbow-iridescent-ammonite-fossil-for-sale-opalescent-ammonite-19645","provider":"Madagascan Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}