Rare $500,000 Canadian gemstone stolen from Vancouver shop

A rare Canadian gemstone worth $500,000 was stolen in a break and enter in Gastown on Friday morning.

Vancouver police say at approximately 4 a.m. Friday morning, the front window of Rocks and Gems Canada at 313 Water Street was smashed and a thief made off with a rare piece of ammolite. The opal-like organic stone is 27 centimetres in diametre.

Ammolite is designated the official gemstone of the Province of Alberta and is considered a Canadian National Treasure. Due to this classification, an application to the Canadian Government must be made for it to be removed from the country.

Police are asking anyone with information about the theft or knows the whereabouts of the gem, to call the VPD.