Description
- Red Flash Ammonites
- Species: Mix of Desmoceras sp and Cleoiceros sp
- Age: Cretaceous, 100 Million Years Old
- Source: Madagascar
- Size: Approx 25-40mm
- Quality will vary, one supplied, not exact one pictured.
Ammonites are probably the most recognisable fossils, known by many they are usually one of the first acquired when starting a collection due to their availability. Their familiar spiral shape shell is incredibly iconic and whilst it appears similar to a snail shell, these animals were not that closely related to snails. They were marine animals, present between 240 – 65 million years ago, that had a coiled segmented shell similar to what we see in the present day nautilus. Ammonites are molluscs that are most closely related to living Cephalopods, i.e. octopus, squid, and cuttlefish.
Madagascar is well known as a source for beautifully preserved ammonite fossils, the majority of which date back to the Cretaceous period. These marine cephalopods swam in the ancient Tethys Ocean, where they varied in size from a coin up to the size of a dustbin lid. Madagascan ammonites are highly sought after by paleontologists and fossil collectors due to their vibrant colouration and stunning patterns, as well as the way in which they are processed and polished.
These red flash ammonites are a polished ammonite shell with an opalescent red flash on both sides. The flash varies greatly in colour; appearing red, orange, green, blue or purple, depending on the ammonite. The red flash is caused by thick layers of aragonite in the shell, the same mineral found in mother-of-pearl.
