Alberta is home to precious gemstones, from the classic diamonds of the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the lesser-known yet equally dazzling amber found in their foothills. Natural gemstones allow one to feel connected to the remarkable nature, offering a sense of fresh mountain beauty.
Gemstones are used as home decor, in jewelry making, and in healing and spiritual practices. In some parts of the province, these gems can even be seen above the ground. Learn more about Alberta’s gemstones and where they are found on calgary-name.
What Gems are Found Here?
The first mention of Alberta’s precious stones dates back to the early 1800s, when fur traders reported finding amethysts, agates, and other gemstones.
The province is home to over 50 different types of precious stones, making it a real treasure trove for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. The most popular gemstones found in Alberta include diamonds, amethysts, emeralds, and jasper.
Amethysts are found in large quantities in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. These extraordinary purple stones and the most expensive varieties of quartz are a popular choice among jewelers. The purple color of amethyst is due to irradiation by iron, the presence of other metals, and certain trace elements. The ancient Greeks used amethysts to make drinking vessels, believing it would prevent intoxication. The word “amethyst” comes from the Greek word for “against intoxication.”
Emeralds are relatively rarer but can still be found in a few parts of Alberta. The emerald is one of the most revered stones. Emeralds with a pure green hue and high transparency are especially valuable, while emeralds of even, dark green color are extremely rare and much more expensive than diamonds.
This stone is a favorite of French kings and also adored by the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. It was considered a talisman for thinkers, generals, and monarchs. The emerald is known as the “heavenly healer” because of its ability to stabilize blood pressure and relieve headaches. Moreover, the stone has strong antibacterial properties, such as purifying water from harmful compounds.
Jasper comes in a wide range of colors but is most commonly reddish due to the presence of iron. Polished jasper is used for decorative items, vases, seals, and snuffboxes (small boxes with lids). The word “jasper” comes from Latin and Greek and means “spotted stone.”
Jasper was a favorite gemstone in the ancient world. It was used as early as 1800 BC on the island of Crete for making seals. In antiquity, it was also used to make amulets, which were thought to protect against vision problems. However, ancient jasper contained jade and was distinctly green.
Jade itself has been found in northern and central Alberta, particularly in Edmonton and Grand Prairie.
Red Deer River – A Repository of Minerals
The Red Deer River originates on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, flowing through the towns of Sundre, Red Deer, Drumheller, and Blackfalds, and into the South Saskatchewan River. This area is rich in gemstones, including geodes, quartz, and agates.
It is important to note that Alberta has the strictest regulations in Canada regarding the collection of rocky materials, so without special permits, the public can only admire the stones in provincial and national parks.
Buffalo Head Hills Diamond Region
Alberta is one of the world’s leading producers of diamonds. By November 2008, 51 kimberlite pipes (volcanic rock formations that contain diamond deposits) had been discovered here. These pipes form during the breakthrough of gases through the earth.
The first diamond in Alberta was discovered in 1958 in river gravel near the Evansburg homestead. The largest number of diamonds is found in northern central Alberta, in the kimberlite region of Buffalo Head Hills, located about 350 km north of Edmonton.
Kimberlites were first discovered in this region in 1997 by Ashton Mining of Canada Inc., EnCana Corporation, and Pure Gold Minerals Inc. The discovery of diamond-bearing kimberlites led to large-scale exploration, including helicopter and ground geophysical studies, heavy mineral sampling, drilling, and more. The initial drilling program resulted in the discovery of 11 kimberlites, eight of which contained diamonds. By 2011, 41 kimberlite pipes had been discovered, 28 of which were diamond-bearing. Interestingly, these kimberlite pipes were formed millions of years ago.
In the northeastern part of the province, another kimberlite field, Birch Mountains, was discovered, though it contains very few diamonds. Until 2011, diamonds and microdiamonds were found only during sampling programs in diatremes (volcanic pipes). This field was discovered in 1998.
Another diamond region in Alberta is the Mountain Lake cluster, consisting of two diatremes. These were discovered in 1989-1990 in the area northeast of Grand Prairie.
Ammolite – Alberta’s Official Gemstone
Ammolite is the fossilized and mineralized remains of marine ammonites, which went extinct over 60 million years ago, although not all ammonites contain ammolite. It is mostly found on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta.
The stone was first mined by Canada’s Indigenous peoples using surface mining methods because it played an important role in the mining industry. In 1981, the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) recognized ammolite as a precious gemstone, and its commercial mining began. In 2007, it was recognized as the official gemstone of Lethbridge, and on March 17, 2022, it became the official gemstone of Alberta.
The rich colors of the stone are related to the microstructure of aragonite (a mineral also found in mother-of-pearl), but the iridescent color of ammolite is created by light interference reflecting off layers that form the aragonite. If these layers are thick, more red and green colors appear; if thin, blue and violet hues form.
However, freshly mined ammolites do not have such vibrant colors; they require polishing and further treatment to reveal their full potential. Ammolite is mined at the Korite mine in Lethbridge.
Its extraction involves miners, paleontologists, First Nations representatives, and government agencies. Ammolites are valued as fossils, as investments (they are bought and stored for future resale), and as jewelry. Items with ammolite inserts are especially popular among tourists in Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Ammolite is naturally very soft and brittle, so to use it in jewelry or other items, it is treated with epoxy resin and often coated with quartz for protection.
Traditionally, the stone was used by Indigenous peoples for healing and luck. It is also used in Feng Shui (the Chinese practice of harmonizing individuals with their environment), as it is believed that ammolite holds knowledge of the universe and brings favorable energies into the home.