What is the Difference Between Ammonite and Ammolite?

The main difference between ammonite and ammolite lies in their definitions and the materials they represent.

• Ammonite: Ammonites were marine mollusks that became extinct around 65 million years ago. They were similar to modern-day squid or octopuses with a shell. Ammonite refers to the fossil shells of these creatures, whether they are gem-quality or not.
• Ammolite: Ammolite is an iridescent gemstone cut from the fossilized shells of ammonites. It is one of the rarest gemstones in the world, and the Bearpaw Formation in Alberta, Canada, is the only area known to yield gem-grade ammolite in commercial quantities. Ammolite is a gem-quality material made from fossils of particular species of ammonites, such as Placenticeras meeki, Placenticeras intercalare, and Baculites compressus.

In summary, ammonites are the fossilized remains of extinct marine mollusks, while ammolite is a rare, iridescent gemstone derived from the fossilized shells of ammonites.

Comparative Table: Ammonite vs Ammolite

Ammonite and Ammolite are related but distinct, with Ammolite being a gemstone that comes from Ammonites. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Ammonites are extinct organisms found as fossils, while Ammolites are gemstones that come from Ammonites. For an Ammonite to become an Ammolite, it has to be buried deep under the sea without oxygen and heat. Ammolite's iridescence occurs when the fossilized Ammonite shell becomes mineralized.