Gemstone: Ammolite
(Multi colored / Hardness: 3.5-4 / Source: Canada)
Ammolite is a relatively new gemstone only having received official gemstone status by the World Jewellery Confederation in 1981. It is mostly found in the Bearpaw formation of the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Southern Alberta.
The stone itself is the fossilized shell of the prehistoric sea creature Ammonite. They date back to when Alberta was part of an inland sea about 70 to 75 million years ago.
Traditionally Ammolite is called the “buffalo stone” by the Blackfoot Nation and was thought to bring luck to its owners. Legend says that during a long and cold winter when the people were going hungry a Blackfoot woman followed a song heard in the cottonwood trees and there found a piece of Ammolite and buffalo hair. She brought these items back to her people where they performed a buffalo ceremony and the next day the buffalo returned saving them from starvation.
The stone is said to represents life’s balance; bringing prosperity, enlightenment and luck. It connects you to the environment physically and spiritually, allowing you to harmonize with the world around you.
