Properties of Ammolite

General

ˈa-mə-ˌnīt (nīt)

Stone of Structure & Stability:

There has been much confusion between Ammonite and Ammolite in the metaphysical world, often falling on the side of describing the Ammolite and not the Ammonite. Ammonite is not a gemstone, but rather a fossil. It’s name was inspired by the spiral shaped of the fossilized shells, being that of a tightly coiled ram’s horn. Pliny the Elder (circa 79 AD) referenced this name for the Egyptian God Ammon – who was typically depicted wearing rams horns. It must also not to be confused with a Nautilus, which has a similar shape but an entirely separate make up.

Ammonites are an extinct group of marine animals. The words ammonite and ammonoid are both used quite loosely in common parlance to refer to any member of subclass Ammonoidea. However, in stricter usage the term Ammonite is reserved for members of suborder Ammonitina (or sometimes even order Ammonitida).

Ammolite on the other hand, is an opalized version of the Ammonite; found primarily along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains from the US and Canada. These are the fossilized shells of the Ammonite; the opalization is formed by minerals filling in the sedimentary rocks or veins in rocks; it has also been known to replace organic materials in fossils, wood and shells, even bone. The ‘opalilzed’ or iridescent Ammolites are comprised primarily of Aragonite, which is the same mineral that creates a nacreous Pearl. Ammolite was given the official gemstone status in 1981 by the World Jewelry Confederation. This iridescence would not have been visible during the animal’s life, it is simply the coating or replacing of the shell by the opal.

In the Middle Ages Ammolite was known as Draconites; due to their bright colors and what was then considered a bizarre appearance, they were thought be ‘stones’ stolen from a dragon’s head. More recently they have been called Snakestones as well as St. Hilda Stones.

Scientific Gemstone Properties

Mohs Hardness of 3.5-5 with a trigonal crystal structure (of the outer layer)

Originating from within the bactritoid nautiloids, the ammonoid cephalopods first appeared in the Devonian period (over 400 million years ago) and became extinct at the close of the Cretaceous period, along with the dinosaurs.

The classification of ammonoids is based in part on the ornamentation and structure of the septa comprising their shells’ gas chambers; by these and other characteristics subclass Ammonoidea is divided into three orders and eight known suborders. While nearly all nautiloids show gently curving sutures, the ammonoid suture line (the intersection of the septum with the outer shell) was folded, forming saddles/peaks and lobes/valleys.

Ammolites (going by the trade name Korite) are thin, iridescent layers of the ammonites fossilized shell. The ammonites that become Ammolite lived primarily in an inland subtropical sea referred to now as the Western Interior Seaway, just east of the Rocky Mountains near Alberta Canada. Near the end of the Mesozoic era this sea receded, and all of the Ammonites died away. The remnants of the shells were eventually covered by volcanic ash and other sediments brought to the sea from rivers off the mountains. Pressed by these sediments (called Bentonite) the fossils were preserved and eventually became coated an morphed into the Ammolite. The iridescence of Ammolite is determined by the thicknesses of the crystallized layering and the resulting intensity of light diffraction.

Metaphysical Gemstone Properties

Both Ammonite and Ammolite was prized by the ancient Egyptian and Roman societies and likely many other cultures; as it was seen as a symbol of almost any deity that may have had any connection to curved horns. For this very reason they were considered sacred in Ethiopia; natives of the region adorned themselves with Ammonite and Ammolite as it was said to grant deep meditative states as well as assist in drawing prophetic dreams.

It is said that these “stones” radiate positive Earth Energy, bringing luck as well as prosperity in all things. A very spiritual stone, even a small portion of Ammonite or Ammolite may be used to assist one in finding the proper way down the coiled, spiral spiritual pathway to the center where the God & Goddess await one’s arrival.

A protective element, adding structure, stability and steadiness to one’s life as well as supplementing one survival instincts. Associated with water, Ammolite is known to deeply affect one emotionally. Mirroring feelings that one may have forgotten existed, whether they be healthy or unhealthy.

Encouraging feelings of self worth Ammolite will enhance ones practicality and reliability; it has been said to increase the positive energies of magic spells and spiritual prayers.

Healing Gemstone Properties

Ammolite is known to strengthen one’s will to live as well as appreciating life and living it to the fullest; being very beneficial to the human psyche. Feng Shui practitioners believe that Ammolite also has a positive effect on the flow of energy called ‘chi’, assisting one to cleanse and detoxify the body.

Believed to have absorbed cosmic energy from the universe, Ammolite is said to have beneficial effects on anyone near it. It is known as the Seven Color Prosperity Stone, as it is said to hold all seven colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet/purple) and is said to bring the bearer growth, wisdom and wealth.

Told to be helpful in childbirth for both the mother and child, Ammolite enhances stamina and vitality as well as stabilizing one’s pulse/blood pressure. Said to be helpful to lift depression and to regulate the metabolism.

Magical Gemstone Properties

Energy: Receptive
Element: Earth, Air, Water, Fire & Akasha
Planet: Jupiter
Deities: Ammon
Powers: Elemental Power, Longevity & Past Life Meditation
Candle Color: Green or Black

Due to the fact that Ammonite/Ammolites were once living beings, they are connected to Akasha, the fifth element. These are tangible proof that in nature nothing is wasted; it shows how only manifestations of energy may be transmutable, but energy itself cannot be destroyed.

Ammolite may be used for vivid prophetic vision and dreams as well as work or meditations relating to past lives and longevity.

Zodiac Gemstone Properties

Zodiac Stone of: Capricorn
Associations: Saturn
Birthstone: Not a birthstone for any month
To dream of any fossil may mean that one needs to stabilize and add structure to one’s life

Chakra Gemstone Properties

The Ammolite has an incredible Chakra representation; beginning with the Ammonite shell is a series of chambers with the siphuncle tube (which regulated the balance of water and gas in each section) connecting each of the chambers, the chakra system is actually quite similar.

Spiritual energy flows through the subtle body along channels called ‘nadi’, there are three main nadi in the human body one in the spinal column and two that flow and wrap around it; the chakras are located where the nadis intersect. As well, with the snake symbolism of Ammonites, this also associates them with the Kundalini energy flow.

The chakra energy flows in a spiral, the Ammonite shell is in the form of a spiral. Ammolites carry the full seven color spectrum of the chakra system, associated with each of the first seven chakras.

With that said, modern chakra workers associate the Ammolite with the 1st, Base/Root chakra, and believe that is here where the work needs to begin.