Rare Iridescent Colorado Ammonite Fossil – Columbus Basin, La Plata Mountains
Offered here is an unusual naturally iridescent ammonite/ammonoid fossil personally collected from a limestone seam on the Snowstorm Peak side of Columbus Basin in the La Plata Mountains of southwestern Colorado, at nearly 12,000 feet elevation.
This is a genuine locally collected Colorado fossil—not one of the commonly marketed imported ammonites.
The specimen retains substantial areas of original mineralized shell material displaying beautiful natural rainbow iridescence. Depending upon lighting and viewing angle, the shell flashes shades of blue, turquoise, green, gold, yellow, orange and red. The blue-green coloration is particularly striking.
Several photographs were taken under different lighting conditions to show the natural color play. Close-up photographs reveal the iridescent shell structure particularly well.
The fossil retains its recognizable coiled form with natural matrix still present in portions of the specimen. Areas of the shell are naturally fractured or incomplete, exactly as shown in the photographs. The exposed interior also provides an interesting view of the fossil's internal Basin – Snowstorm Peak side
La Plata Mountains, Colorado
Approx. 12,000 ft elevation
Personally recovered from a limestone seam
The La Plata Mountains contain a complex sequence of sedimentary formations subsequently affected by the intrusive activity that formed the La Plata mountain complex, making locally preserved fossils particularly interesting geological specimens.
This specimen is conservatively represented as a natural iridescent ammonite/ammonoid fossil with preserved nacreous shell material. No specific species or exact formation is claimed without additional paleontological or stratigraphic confirmation.
An excellent addition to a collection of Colorado fossils, ammonites, iridescent fossils, Western U.S. geology, La Plata Mountains material or natural-history specimens.
The U.S. dime pictured is for size reference only and is NOT included.
Please review all photographs carefully for condition, coloration and details. You will receive the exact specimen pictured.
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