NEW SERIES! Air swirls and surrounds this dancing Canadian ammolite.

Flowing, swirling and always in motion, the elemental force of Air is a catalyst for change, driving movement in all its forms. Its association with motion, with life and energy, is expressed by the uniquely Canadian gemstone mounted at the centre of this 99.99% pure silver coin – the first in an exciting new series.

Surrounded by engraving that rises and falls like the very breath of the universe itself, the ammolite – formed under pressure from fossilized shells encased in rock – is seemingly light as air. It reacts to the slightest movement of its coin base, dancing and flashing its multicoloured ammolite to symbolize the element of Air as it radiates a joyful energy, while also reminding us that life on Earth – past and present – wouldn’t exist without Air.

Coin #1 – This ammolite is dancing on air.

Good to know

First coin in a new series. The new Dancing Ammolite series showcases the captivating qualities of a rare and a responsibly sourced uniquely Canadian gemstone, while also representing the elemental forces that produced the gem. Collect all four coins!

Yellow for Air. As your multicoloured Ammolite dances you can see hues of yellow that symbolize the element of Air – the theme for 2024 – and no two stones are alike! Other coins in the series will focus on the symbolic colours of green, red and blue.

A dynamic design. The element of Air is also represented in the engraved design that surrounds and complements the dancing ammolite. Natural light practically dances across the coin’s surface, bouncing off the incused and raised details that visually convey the movement of air –from a gentle breeze to a veritable whirlwind.

Dancing ammolite. The genuine Canadian ammolite is mounted and housed in an intricate 3D frame fashioned by Canadian-owned and operated Beverly Hills Jewellers. The jewellery mount allows the ammolite to move, “dance” and flash its colour with the slightest movement of its coin base.

A special cut. Your ammolite is round shaped and features a checkerboard cut that maximizes its lustre and colour display.

Selective gold plating. Select design elements, including the gemstone mount, are plated with yellow gold to create a gleaming colour contrast.

Low mintage. Like the popular Sparkle of the Heart series that ended in 2023, mintage is limited to 925 coins.

Mark the moment. An exquisite gift for celebrating that special someone or occasion, whether a birthday, anniversary or milestone achievement, or an exciting addition to your collection – one that is sure to spark joy.

Did you know?

Ammolite is the official gemstone of Alberta. It is ethically mined from the province’s Bearpaw Geological Formation and that is the only place in the world where commercial quantities of gem-quality ammolite are found.

Practitioners of Feng Shui believe ammolite carries positive cosmic energy (Qi) absorbed from the world, and that its yellow radiance is an auspicious colour for wealth.

Behind closed doors

"For this coin design, I sought inspiration in the different moods and motions associated with air – from a gentle, swirling breeze to an energetic whirlwind. I kept imagining sound vibrations and how various musical tones might travel through the air, carrying with them the power to soothe, invigorate and uplift. Aiming to achieve a timeless look that would complement the dancing ammolite gemstone, I turned to Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Edwardian art movements for inspiration – I’ve always admired the balance between organic motifs and the strong, symmetrical shapes found in designs from those time periods."

– Mariya Olshevska, Artist

"The development of a new series is always exciting, and this one began with the idea of using a uniquely Canadian gemstone: rare and iridescent ammolite, said to hold the energies and vibrations of the universe. The next step was to build on the idea of the natural forces that created this gemstone, leading us to the four elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water. Collaborating with the artist and engraver, we landed on a coin design that evokes the feeling of air moving swiftly across the coin’s reverse, culminating in the dazzling dancing ammolite."

– Suzanne Kasnakian, Product Manager

"Once again, we are incredibly honoured to work with the Royal Canadian Mint on a coin inspired by all things Canadian. As a Canadian manufacturer, working with the natural resources this beautiful country has to offer is not only of paramount importance – it’s a privilege."

– Giovanni Vaccaro, President and Founder of Beverly Hills Jewellers

"The Product Manager and I decided it would be best to create the model first, prior to creating the artboard. This gave me the opportunity to use my intuition and creativity to sculpt the movement of air, while staying true to the concept art and still respecting engineering specifications. I was also asked to design and create the obverse field pattern, which needed to be simpler than the reverse design, so I visualized how air can flow and picked some design elements from the reverse, creating a more cohesive look and feel to tie everything together."

– Aida Alves, 3D Artist-Engraver

About the design

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a special graphic beauty box.

Reverse: Dancing gemstone

Enhanced with selective gold plating, the reverse design by Vancouver-based artist Mariya Olshevska features an array of line art patterns that visually convey motion and evoke the sense of an ever-changing wind. This swirling representation of Air rises as it surrounds the opening at the centre of the coin, where a multicoloured ammolite, is set in a 3D mount fashioned by Canadian-owned and operated Beverly Hills Jewellers; the gold-plated setting allows the suspended gemstone to “dance” at the slightest movement of the coin base.

Obverse: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

Product # 246025

$20 Pure Silver Coin - Dancing Ammolite: Elements of Nature - Air (2024)