Ammonite (var: Ammolite)

Ambato-Boeni District, Boeny Region, Mahajanga (Majunga) Province, Madagascar
Gems, 1.88 ct, 12.06 mm x 8.04 mm
Start Time: 03/29/2021 12:47:00 am (CDT)
End Time: 04/01/2021 7:00:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $100

Item Description

A "doublet" gem of the well-known Ammonite (var: Ammolite) from Madagascar. This techinically is not a mineral / gem but a fossil of the original Calcium Carbonate shell of the animal within. From Wikipedia "An iridescent opal-like play of color is shown in fine specimens, mostly in shades of green and red; all the spectral colors are possible, however. The iridescence is due to the microstructure of the aragonite: unlike most other gems, whose colors come from light absorption, the iridescent color of ammolite comes from interference with the light that rebounds from stacked layers of thin platelets that make up the aragonite. The thicker the layers, the more reds and greens are produced; the thinner the layers, the more blues and violets predominate. Reds and greens are the most commonly seen colors, owing to the greater fragility of the finer layers responsible for the blues. When freshly quarried, these colors are not especially dramatic; the material requires polishing and possibly other treatments in order to reveal the colors' full potential" This piece shows beautiful red, green and gold flashes when rotated in the light. A wonderful and vibrantly colored "Pear Cabochon" to add to any collection.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$100 03/29/2021 4:25:52 pm (CDT)