Cleoniceras
besairei Ammonite
Phylum
Mollusca, Class Cephalopoda, Subclass
Ammonoidea, Order Ammonitida
Geological
Time: Middle Cretaceous, Albian Stage (150 mya)
Size: 84
mm diameter
Fossil Site:
Tulear, Madagascar
Description:
A spectacular ammonite is a Cleoniceras besairei from Madagascar
which has been polished to show the wonderful fire opal iridescence
for which they are known. This is a consequence of light passing
through the various layers of aragonite and conchiolin deposited
by the ammonite in life. The lack of acidity in the depositional
environment allowed them to be preserved as you see it here. Jewel-quality
material such as this coming from Alberta, Canada is termed “Ammolite”
in the trade, and typically commands a high price. This is a stunning
example of an intristic beauty of the ammonite from the Albian (112
m.y.a) deposits of Madagascar.
Also
see: Ammonite Fossils |
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