![]() ![]() This is the sheet material with fewer or no fractures. Ammolite from this zone, which extends 65 metres further down, is usually compressed with a thin layer of pyrite rather than siderite concretions. The ammolite within this layer is covered by siderite concretions and is usually cracked and fractured through deposition-this is the crush or “dragon-skin” material.īeginning 20 metres below the crush material is the “ Blue Zone”. ![]() The "K Zone" will only have a very small amount of AA grade ammolite. The shallowest of these layers, the “ K Zone”, lies approximately 15 metres below the surface and extends 30 metres down. Take a look at the photos and videos below to come behind the scenes with us at our mine.Īmmolite deposits are found in several layers. This is also where we handcraft our jewellery and loose gemstones. All the product excavated from these mines comes to our workshop in Canmore to be cleaned and prepared. The Ammonite Factory has a few claims for ammolite mining in Alberta. The pits are further examined by hand - in fact every centimetre of exposed shale is carefully observed due to the valuable nature of this gem. Approximately 50% of the ammolite mined is suitable for jewellery, with only 1-10% naturally AA grade (the top-grade according to the International Gem Society). Pits are dug up to 100 metres deep and the excavated material is screened for its potential gem contents. This formation extends from Alberta to Saskatchewan and into Montana. Commercial extraction occurs only in Alberta due to the superior grade of gem found in this region. Ammolite mining takes place in the Bearpaw Formation, which used to be the Bearpaw Sea of the Western Interior Seaway. ![]()
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