Ancient Seas, North America, Paleozoic to Late Cretaceous period. ca. 400 to 66 million years ago. This is a stunning fossilized ammonite shell that has opalized and developed shimmering ammolite formations. The shell is preserved with great details such as the textual ridges and slightly recessed spiral. On the verso, the shell was excavated with a cut away exterior - revealing the inner chamber that was once organic tissue - the body and tentacles - but is now a solid stone matrix that contains additional and separate ammonite shell fragments and imprints that fossilized and settled with in the main ammonite. These pieces have also developed a red ammolite iridescence which contrasts with the dark surrounding stone of the chamber. The fossilization process can result in the "opalization" which creates ammolite, the gemstone formed by ammonite shells - this is a gorgeous example that has a clear coating to protect the ammolite. Size: 3.75" L x 4.75" W (9.5 cm x 12.1 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hagar collection, Wildwood, Missouri, USA
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#168042
Condition
Professionally prepared. Clear fixative coating applied to ammolite areas. Verso has loss to main ammonite shell but shows the inner material and other ammonite shell fragments. Nice areas of iridescent ammolite.