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Ammolite vs. Opal

P: 7/22/2004 9:10:32 PM
Cave Keeper Cut Rock Total Posts: 264 Last Post: 9/23/2005 Member Since: 6/30/2004	When I look at Ammolite, I can't help wondering how does one differentiate between Ammolite and Opal? Isn't the geological process which creates the Ammolite shell the same as those that creates Opals, i.e., opalization? Is there any difference between mother-of-pearl and Ammolite shell? Does anyone have any idea? Thunder Storm Maker (Grand Master), creating havoc in the Heavens when active. Otherwise just a lazy Cave Keeper, sleeping on a huge pile of tiny glittery rocks, small dazzling stones and big sparkling pebbles.
Posted: 7/22/2004 9:10:32 PM

There are 6 replies to this message. There are 6 replies on this page.

P: 7/23/2004 12:39:22 PM
valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003	I am not 100% sure of what is the chemistry of ammolite fossils But structurally these are different than opal and the geology is different as well. Interesting Q! Never thought of this... It should be a nice afternoon exercise to pull together all things that make opalescence in gems what thee are (diamodns included) and make a comparison. Obviously there is something they have in common to make light behave in the same way. I have no idea of any online refference for this though. Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]
Posted: 7/23/2004 12:39:22 PM

P: 7/23/2004 1:21:52 PM
Richard M. Ideal Rock Total Posts: 929 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2004	Hi, Both precious opal and ammolite owe their play of color (correct term for this phenomenon) to light diffraction (NOT refraction), but for very different reasons. They are chemically very different and the mechanisms for breaking light into spectral colors are different also. Anyone seriously interested in learning about this can go to the following sites and spend a bit of time learning. The opal information is mostly accurate although after many years as an opal cutter I'd dispute a few things in it. There is probably more blatant nonsense in print about precious opal than any other gem but this article is pretty good. Opal Ammolite Richard M. www.Artcutgems.com
Posted: 7/23/2004 1:21:52 PM

P: 7/23/2004 7:48:05 PM
Cave Keeper Cut Rock Total Posts: 264 Last Post: 9/23/2005 Member Since: 6/30/2004	---------------- On 7/23/2004 1:21:52 PM Richard M. wrote: : Both precious opal and ammolite owe their play of color (correct term for this phenomenon) to light diffraction (NOT refraction), but for very different reasons. They are chemically very different and the mechanisms for breaking light into spectral colors are different also. : ---------------- Hi, thanks for the sourc links and your comments. I wonder whether the claim that Ammolite is the World's rarest gem is true. Somehow, I have the impression Bixbite is even rarer. Thunder Storm Maker (Grand Master), creating havoc in the Heavens when active. Otherwise just a lazy Cave Keeper, sleeping on a huge pile of tiny glittery rocks, small dazzling stones and big sparkling pebbles.
Posted: 7/23/2004 7:48:05 PM

P: 7/23/2004 8:39:21 PM
Richard M. Ideal Rock Total Posts: 929 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2004	Actually, my choice for the world's rarest gemstone is grandidierite. This 0.29 carat cut stone is the only one in existence, according to the GIA. There are many gems more rare than either bixbite or ammolite, so the comment falls into the "marketing hype" area. The writer makes the statement knowing s/he's unlikely to be disputed because there's no genuine way of knowing. www.Artcutgems.com
Posted: 7/23/2004 8:39:21 PM

P: 7/25/2004 8:25:38 AM
Cave Keeper Cut Rock Total Posts: 264 Last Post: 9/23/2005 Member Since: 6/30/2004	---------------- On 7/23/2004 1:21:52 PM Richard M. wrote: Hi, Both precious opal and ammolite owe their play of color (correct term for this phenomenon) to light diffraction (NOT refraction), but for very different reasons. They are chemically very different and the mechanisms for breaking light into spectral colors are different also. : ---------------- I thought both opal and ammolite have spherule surface material. So how is it the mechanisms for breaking light into spectral colors are different? Do the colors in opal change accordingly when its surface is rotated as is possible in ammolite? I think this iridescence process is called spectrochromatic shift. Thunder Storm Maker (Grand Master), creating havoc in the Heavens when active. Otherwise just a lazy Cave Keeper, sleeping on a huge pile of tiny glittery rocks, small dazzling stones and big sparkling pebbles.
Posted: 7/25/2004 8:25:38 AM

P: 7/26/2004 12:29:18 AM
Richard M. Ideal Rock Total Posts: 929 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2004	---------------- On 7/25/2004 8:25:38 AM Cave Keeper wrote: ---------------- ---------------- I thought both opal and ammolite have spherule surface material. So how is it the mechanisms for breaking light into spectral colors are different? ---------------- Re-read the section on Iridescence in the Ammolite link. There's a big difference between spherules and platelets. www.Artcutgems.com
Posted: 7/26/2004 12:29:18 AM

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