The UCP is proposing a new official gemstone emblem for the province..Culture Minister Ron Orr introduced legislation Thursday proposing ammolite be added to Alberta’s list of official emblems..“Ammolite is an important part of our heritage and economy. Recognizing ammolite as Alberta’s official gemstone reflects the unique nature of the stone and of our province, and helps to fulfil recommendation 25 of the Fair Deal Panel,” said Orr..The Fair Deal Panel recommended the government “explore ways and means to affirm Alberta’s cultural, economic and political uniqueness in law and government policy.”.The government said ammonite shells are still collected by Blackfoot communities for sacred purposes..The gemstone, predominately found in southern Alberta, would take its place alongside the province’s other emblems (pictured here) pending an amendment to the Emblems of Alberta Act..Alberta’s current official emblems include the coat of arms, provincial shield, flag of Alberta, floral emblem (wild rose), grass emblem (rough fescue), Alberta tartan and dress tartan, official bird (great horned owl), official stone (petrified wood), tree of Alberta (lodgepole pine), provincial colours (blue and gold), official mammal (Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep), official fish (bull trout), official song (Alberta”composed by Mary Kieftenbeld) and symbols of distinction (Franco-Albertan flag)..“Ammolite is an iridescent gemstone formed from the fossilized shells of molluscs, known as ammonites, which lived in an inland sea east of the Rocky Mountains. After sinking to the seabed, the mud that covered ammonites hardened over millions of years to become shale. The shell properties, combined with southern Alberta’s unique geology, transformed many ammonite shells into the ammolite that is mined and used for jewelry today,” said Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology Director Craig Scott..“Alberta is world-renowned for its fossil resources. The designation of ammolite as Alberta’s official gemstone adds to this reputation and speaks to the remarkable history of ancient life recorded in the rocks throughout the province.”.The fossilized stone is managed by the government through the Mines and Minerals Act and the Historic Resources Act..Amber Gosselin is a reporter with the Western Standard..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
