The KORITE mine in Southwestern Alberta mines ammolite from the Bearpaw Formation which hosts ammonite fossils. Photos courtesy of KORITE.

Alberta isn’t the first place one thinks of when contemplating the world’s best sources of gems. But if you thought the Canadian province is only known for oil sands, rodeos and hockey, you’d be wrong. It also keeps a well-hidden geological secret: ammolite.

Named for a thin, irridiscent shell material found on two species of ammonite fossils, gem-quality ammolite produces spectacular colours. The gem is extremely rare; the only place it is currently mined for commercial use is along the St. Mary River in Southwestern Alberta, where the ammolite is wrought from thin layers in the Bearpaw Formation which hosts ammonite fossils, according to Geology.com.