Ammonites

Long ago, before they were considered rare decorations and expensive ornament, ammonites were called snakestones by most people during the Middle Ages. Because of their physical attributes, people thought of them as petrified snakes. In England, they were even called serpent stones. Some cunning and creative traders would add final touches in the ammonites that they sell. They would put a snakes’ face on the empty end of the fossilized ammonite before eventually selling them to people. However, Hindus have a much higher regard for ammonites. Their faith leads them to believe that these marine mollusks’ remains were said to be manifestations of their god, Vishnu. Thus, they worshipped and revered the sight of an ammonite.
It was named ammonite due to its spiral appearance that closely resembles a coiled horn of a ram. Its name is taken after Ammon, an Egyptian god who usually depicted with a ram’s horns in literature. Ammonites belong to a rare class of extinct marine animals that have lived during a certain period of time. The modern day octopus or squid are said to be evolved versions of ammonites.

An ammonite’s size varies. There are specimens that are more or less 1 centimeter in diameter, while there are those which are over two meters. Generally, Jurrasic ammonites are smaller, measuring less than 23 centimeters or so. An ammonite excavated from the deep ends may appear to be more completely smooth on the surface. There are times when an ammonite shell is discovered with its body completely and perfectly preserved. However, these are very rare and fortunate instances. You can just imagine how much of a fortune will a completely preserved ammonite cost.

The process of selling fossils like ammonites is quite simple. The moment it is discovered, it is then prepared by a second party or individual. It will then be forwarded to a third party who will purvey the fossil and will deliver and dispose it to the hands of the waiting customer.

Today, however, you do not have to go to local museums just to see those exquisite patterns. Ammonites are used as display items as well as jewelry items throughout the world. They are even used as kitchen wares and countertops. The demand for fossils used in crafts boomed all over the world.

The use of fossils like ammonites and orthoceras has started to become a craze with Japanese artists. One artist claims her artwork has been selling like hotcakes all over the world.