Minister of Culture, Ron Orr. (Government of Alberta)

By Chris Brown / CHAT News Today

Found Primarily in Southern Alberta

Province wants to make ammolite Alberta’s official gemstone

Mar 17, 2022 | 4:47 PM

Alberta could soon have its first official gemstone.

The government wants to make ammolite, found primarily in southern Alberta, an official emblem alongside the coat of arms, flag and wild rose.

“Ammolite is an important part of our heritage and economy. Recognizing ammolite as Alberta’s official gemstone reflects the unique nature of the stone and of our province,” says Culture Minister Ron Orr in a news release.

An amendment to the Emblems Act of Alberta was to be introduced in the legislature today.

Ammolite is an iridescent gemstone formed from the fossilized shells of molluscs, known as ammonites, which lived in an inland sea east of the Rocky Mountains. After sinking to the seabed, the mud that covered ammonites hardened over millions of years to become shale. The shell properties, combined with southern Alberta’s unique geology, transformed many ammonite shells into the ammolite that is mined and used for jewellery today.

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Ammonite shells have been collected by Plains First Nations for a thousand years, and are still collected by Blackfoot communities for sacred purposes.

Dr. Craig Scott, director of preservation and research, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, says designating ammolite as Alberta’s official gemstone will add to the province’s reputation for fossil resources, and speaks to the remarkable history of ancient life recorded in the rocks throughout the province.

“Each official emblem of Alberta represents a different part of the diverse and beautiful landscape we call home. I am glad to see ammolite join the Wild Rose, Rough Fescue, Lodgepole Pine and more. Each emblem symbolizes and showcases a unique aspect of our province,” said Nicole Goehring, NDP Critic for Culture

“In recognizing emblems of Alberta, it is important to remember on whose lands we walk. Ammolite has an important history with deeply rooted traditions for many Indigenous cultures. I hope that honouring these traditions and practices will help us reflect on our relationship as treaty people,” Richard Feehan, NDP Critic for Indigenous Relations.