Aragonite
A species of Aragonite Group, Also known as Cave Calcite, Stillatitius Lapis, Igloite, Oserskite, Pisa Carolina, Chimborazite Scientific name : Aragonite Mineral Group : Aragonite Group
Aragonite, A species of Aragonite Group
Also known as:
Cave Calcite, Stillatitius Lapis, Igloite, Oserskite, Pisa Carolina, Chimborazite
Scientific name: Aragonite
Mineral Group: Aragonite Group
Description
Aragonite is widely and most popularly seen as the coating on pearls. It is also the main component of coral and stalagmites. It is remarkably brittle and comes in many different varieties, depending on the mineral in which it is found. It is truly a remarkable, morphing mineral!
Physical Properties
Colors
Colorless, white, grey, blue, green, red or violet
Luster
VitreousResinous
Diaphaneity
TransparentToTranslucent
Refractive Index
1.525-1.686
Birefringence
0.155
Pleochroism
Strong
Optical Character
Biaxial negative
Chemical Properties
Chemical Classification
Carbonates
Formula
CaCO3
Elements listed
C, Ca, O
Common Impurities
Sr, Pb, Zn
People often ask
General Info
Healing Properties
Aragonite is an energizing stone that is believed to improve self-confidence and promote self-discipline. It is an excellent stone for anyone learning patience and tolerance. Its positive energy stimulates motivation and puts a stop to procrastination. This not only allows the person to move forward in their life goals but also discourages feelings of anger and stress. Often used in meditation, its potent energies align and activate all of the chakras.
How to Select
Aragonite is typically colorless and, at most, a few carats. A variety of other colors and larger sizes are possible, but these properties are rarer and more valuable. Authentic aragonite luminesces a variety of colors when exposed to short- or long-wave light. Its hardness can also be tested to determine authenticity.
Usage
Formation
The type location for aragonite is Molina de Aragón in the Province of Guadalajara in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, for which it was named in 1797. Aragonite is found in this locality as cyclic twins inside gypsum and marls of the Keuper facies of Triassic. This type of aragonite deposit is very common in Spain, and there are also some in France and Morocco. An aragonite cave, the Ochtinská Aragonite Cave, is situated in Slovakia. In the US, aragonite in the form of stalactites and "cave flowers" (anthodite) is known from Carlsbad Caverns and other caves. Massive deposits of oolitic aragonite sand are found on the seabed in the Bahamas. Aragonite is the high pressure polymorph of calcium carbonate. As such, it occurs in high pressure metamorphic rocks such as those formed at subduction zones. Aragonite forms naturally in almost all mollusk shells, and as the calcareous endoskeleton of warm- and cold-water corals (Scleractinia). Several serpulids have aragonitic tubes. Because the mineral deposition in mollusk shells is strongly biologically controlled, some crystal forms are distinctively different from those of inorganic aragonite. In some mollusks, the entire shell is aragonite; in others, aragonite forms only discrete parts of a bimineralic shell (aragonite plus calcite). The nacreous layer of the aragonite fossil shells of some extinct ammonites forms an iridescent material called ammolite. Aragonite also forms in the ocean and in caves as inorganic precipitates called marine cements and speleothems, respectively. Aragonite is not uncommon in serpentinites where high Mg in pore solutions apparently inhibits calcite growth and promotes aragonite precipitation. Aragonite is metastable at the low pressures near the Earth's surface and is thus commonly replaced by calcite in fossils. Aragonite older than the Carboniferous is essentially unknown. It can also be synthesized by adding a calcium chloride solution to a sodium carbonate solution at temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F) or in water-ethanol mixtures at ambient temperatures.