Beschreibung:

An extremely large and rare Iridescent Ammonite
A truly magnificent specimen of one of the great natural history trophies, Placenticeras meeki from the late Cretaceous Bear Paw Formation of Alberta, Canada. The shells of amazingly beautiful ammonites like this one were preserved under great pressure, heat, and cold, and this accounts for their spectacular, iridescent surface. If a dead ammonite fell to the sea bottom and was quickly covered with sand or mud it stood a good chance of becoming fossilized, and in the particular sediments now known as the Bear Paw Formation certain exceptional circumstances led to the creation of these, perhaps the most beautiful of all fossils. During the millions of years of compression that followed the ammonite's death, iron, copper and silica were mineralized and, finally, during the Ice Ages the whole was buried beneath ice a mile thick. Few complete examples survived the process and even fewer have actually been found. Small broken fragments of their fossils are more common and these are so beautiful that they are regarded as gemstones, such remains being known as 'ammolite.' These fragments are used for jewelry and other ornaments. Complete surviving examples of the ammonite itself are exceptionally rare, and are highly sought after when they become available. Their exquisite appearance almost defies belief, and in its amazingly large size and rich, diverse colouring this particular example may be the finest to ever come onto the market. 61cm.; 24ins wide