What differences do ammolite and ammonites have?

They sound almost the same, and they are definitely related, but in the world of collecting, they are two very different things. Here is the easiest way to keep them straight:

1. Ammonite - The Ancient Animal

"Ammonite" refers to the prehistoric creature itself. These were squid-like animals that lived in spiral shells millions of years ago.

• What you’re buying: When you buy an "Ammonite fossil," you’re usually buying the whole shell or a petrified version of it. Most of these are grey, brown, or earthy in color. They are found all over the world, from Morocco to England.

2. Ammolite - The Rare Gemstone

"Ammolite" is the trade name for the gem-quality material found on the outside of specific ammonite shells.

• What you’re buying: You’re buying the "fire." Ammolite is the iridescent, rainbow-colored layer that formed under very specific conditions. While there are billions of ammonite fossils, only a tiny fraction (mostly from Alberta) produced actual Ammolite.