JOURNAL ARTICLE

How one of the world's rarest and most valuable gemstones gets its vivid colors: Scientists finally solve mystery of ammolite's brilliant reds, greens, and blues.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Jacobs, Phie 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the gemstone ammolite, which is derived from the fossilized shells of ammonites and is known for its vibrant colors. Researchers have conducted a study using electron microscopy and computer simulations to analyze ammolite specimens from Alberta, revealing that the gemstone's vivid hues result from the unique arrangement and thickness of aragonite plates within its nacre. The study found that the uniform thickness and narrow spacing of these plates contribute to ammolite's brilliance, with variations in thickness affecting the color produced. These findings may enhance the understanding of structural colors in nature and could have implications for developing nonfading paints. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/10, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:189053279
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Sciencemag.org is the property of American Association for the Advancement of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.