Lovers of all things colored and sparkly are in for a treat with an unusual mixed bag of ammonite that ’s set to go to auction by and by this month . The “ gem ” of an ammonite dates back 71 million class , and comes with a curious program of ammolite , give it a dazzling rainbow iridescence .
“ A’Gem ' Ammonite in Matrixfrom the Bearpaw Formation in Alberta , Canada dates to the Cretaceous some 71 million years ago and present superb iridescence,”sayHeritage ahead of theirNature & Science Auctiontaking place on November 20 . “ It is a top representation of thePlacenticeras costatumvariety , which describe for less than 10 pct of the Ammonites find in the singular vicinity . ”
According to theAmerican Gem Trade Association , ammolite is one of the world ’s rarest gemstones . Ammonite fossil have been found across the globe , but the gemstone variety has so far only been impute to the Bearpaw Geological Formation in Alberta , Canada . It was classed as a gem by theWorld Jewellery Confederationback in1981 , and is relatively soft on the hardness musical scale with a Mohs of 3.5 to 4 – not to be confused withtoughness , which is a whole different thing in the world of minerals .
“ This extraordinary piece [ weighs ] 24 kg ( 52.8 pounds ) and offers superb color and an incredible matrix in both sizing and shape , ” suppose Heritage . “ The vibrant fossil measures 10 inch ( 25 centimeter ) at maximum diam and is visually stunning with a myriad of graphic Red River , oranges , gold and viridity , as well as the rarefied purples and blues . ”
The ammolite ammonoid unite a master of ceremonies of singular artifacts on sales agreement at the Science & Nature Auction , including a 125 - kilogram ( 275 - pound)Siderite meteoriteretrieved from a hotspot for meteorite huntsman in Kansas . There ’s also afossil fish mosaic triptychfrom the Green River Formation Lagerstätte , Wyoming – with specimens see back 50 million years – and a raregold nuggetfromAlaska .
It ’s been a with child month for vendue news , with a fade of clay sculpture medallion fetching arecord - breaking $ 76,000at Bonham ’s chronicle Of Science And Technology sale on October 23 . And who could blank out the footing - shaking cut-rate sale ofApex the stegosaurus ? A dinosaur that went for an center - watering $ 44.6 million at auction bridge in July , exceed the old criminal record holder – Stan theT. king – by over $ 10 million .
Incredible stuff , but we might have to stick to the museum gift shop for now .
