For 100 million years before the birth of the human race on planet Earth, there was a completely different life. Filled with outlandish creatures and giant plants. There was a place in it for fantastic mollusks - these are ammonites. They were cephalopods and had a spiral shell. Their sizes started from 5 cm and could reach 3-4 meters. Ammonites lived in the water, they were born and died in the depths of the ancient oceans. But the era of the Mesozoic has long since sunk into oblivion. So why are we talking about ammonites in our time?
Mysterious cephalopods of the Mesozoic era and their features
The answer lies in the structure of the shell of these little-known mollusks and their value. Even after the death and decomposition of cephalopods, their protection could exist for many more millennia. This is due to the strong structure of this type of shell, the content of natural minerals and calcium in it. The shell of a cephalopod after his death absorbed all the useful resources that contribute to a solid structure, and petrified. Imprints of ammonite soft bodies and substances are still found on stones and sedimentary rocks.
Distinguish types of cephalopods bythe structure of the shell and its structure. They can be both spiral and smooth, and embossed. In some protective shells, the structure was symmetrical, while others were distinguished by their awkwardness and unsightliness. The principle of twisting the spiral in the shell was also not always the same. Ancient ammonites are similar to modern squids, but they could be ten times larger in size.
Spiral Shell Values and Natural Fossils
This shellfish protection contains mother-of-pearl, iron ore, quartz and chalcedony. Experts, evaluating these treasures hidden inside the ammonites, classified them into the section of semi-precious stones. Mother-of-pearl at the sink can be located both on the outer shell and inside. Of great value is the structure and property of the ammonite stone, which was not subjected to a natural phenomenon and is well preserved. There are practically no shells with a whole internal structure of mother-of-pearl, due to the long storage time. Photos of ammonites and their structure can be seen below.
Most often, such cephalopod shells can be found with a diameter of 6 to 12 cm. But there are exceptions in the form of a stone of 2.5 meters. One resident of Brazil found such a unique shell. This beauty is fully adorned with multicolored iridescent mother-of-pearl on the outside. The stone was found whole and until it is split, no one knows what kind of jewelry this ammonite is filled with.
Main fossil locations
An interesting fact is the identification of ammonites as the first form of life,explains why paleontologists and travelers have found many of these shells since ancient times. Their abundance lies in the dense structure of the shell, and because of this, its long existence. That is why, even though mollusks became extinct more than a hundred million years ago, people can still find them now.
The location of the ammonite fossil is distributed near deep seas and oceans. At the time of their origin and subsequent existence, there were practically no land areas. Therefore, cephalopods spent their entire lives under water. Today, semi-precious shells are found off the coast of the oceans in Japan, Russia and Canada. Also, their location near the North Pole and its environs is not ruled out.
Clam fossil cost
Due to valuable natural resources and mother-of-pearl in ammonite, the price for one copy can reach hundreds of thousands of rubles. Such a hype for clam shells is due to the aesthetic and visual beauty of semi-precious stones. When choosing a fossil, it is necessary to build on its external condition, the presence of mother-of-pearl over the entire surface, polishing, adding precious stones to it and framing. Cleaned ammonites are most suitable for collecting, but without additions and a border of precious metal. Such specimens do not lose their naturalness, and the polishing of the fossil only adds beauty and grace to it. But for jewelry or a gift, you should rely only on your taste and financial situation.
Most valuedammonite specimens living in the Cretaceous period. Although then they built their shells asymmetrically, but their inner beauty can bewitch any person. Also, ammonites of that period are considered the most ancient and rare, because of these criteria, the price of seemingly awkward and unattractive shells is considered the highest on the market.
Jewellery from centuries-old stone
Ammonites are common as collectibles and decorations. A talented stone cutter is able to create an unusually beautiful piece of jewelry from an outstanding shell, striking the imagination with its versatility and magnificence. It will be enough just to fantasize a little over the ornament and shape of the clam fossil.
The most popular ammonite jewelry items are rings, earrings and pendants. The latter are most often made from shells with a diameter of 0.5 cm to 6 cm. A jeweler who makes such an excellent product and, having found a suitable stone with rich components, can simply saw it and place it harmoniously in a setting. Ammonites with less colorful fillings are engraved after shell separation or some component of the fossil is removed, for example, leaving only the main part.
Healing possibilities of the remains of the mollusk and their magic
Ammonites gained their popularity not only as a source of natural beauty, but also for their magical properties, use in alternative medicine. The ancient inhabitants believed that such a magic stone couldcall on the earth to rain, help in the search for underwater sources. No one knows how reliable this is, but such methods are still used in India.
According to medical sources, ammonite stone and its properties help to strengthen the immune system and get rid of many infectious diseases. Also, the fossil contributes to the development of positive energy in a person, getting rid of depression, eliminating sexual diseases in women.
Why ammonite?
In ancient Egypt, there were many powerful gods. One of them was Amon - this is the ruler of all life in this area. Most often, he is compared with Zeus, who was similar in appearance to him. However, the main difference between the gods was their horns. Amon had a twisted shape, while Zeus had straight ones. That is why ammonite is a spiral shell, which was named after the Egyptian Thunderer.
Adygea nature monument and its artifacts
Separately, I would like to highlight the Valley of Ammonites, striking with its splendor and extraordinary beauty of nature. Thousands of paleontologists gather at this place to study these fossils. The Valley of Ammonites is located in Adygea, near the Belaya River. Unique artifacts are located along the entire perimeter of the coast, which has a length of tens of kilometers. Everyone can admire the ancient fossils, they are freely available.
Protection for ammonites are natural stones, which either split themselves over time, or are erased by the constant flow of the river. Sometimes you canfind the cephalopods themselves, or rather the remains. Consider the structure of their skeleton and capture it. This phenomenon occurs quite rarely, due to the fragility of the ammonite skeleton. Most often, only prints remain on the splits of stones, which can also be found by visiting the Valley.
For contemplators of natural beauty, in the nature reserve there are shells of these mollusks, decorated with magnificent mother-of-pearl and many semi-precious stones. They are of great value to paleontologists and collectors. It should also be noted the presence in the Valley of rare and endangered plant species that you can not only contemplate with your own eyes, but also touch them.
Guest house "Ammonit" Dakhovskaya
Also on the territory of Adygea there is a hotel, which was named after a natural monument. Hotel "Ammonit" is located near many nature reserves and amazing places, impressive in their beauty. Here you can not only visit the shellfish fossil tour, but also admire the mountains, forests and rivers of this wonderful land.
Despite the fact that ammonites existed many millions of years ago, nature was able to transfer and preserve them through all this time. Fossils are able to surprise any person with their extraordinary beauty and splendor of the semi-precious stones they contain.
Ammonites were the first creatures to inhabit our planet. Their centuries-old history has contributed to the diversity andplural shells that are found in our time. This fossil in many nations is considered an object that can cure many diseases, charge with positive energy, and strengthen the human immune system. Each natural stone is unique in its own way, but ammonite is the best of them. It combines healing properties and natural beauty.
