Aragonite
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameAragonite
Chemical FormulaCaCO₃
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lusterwaxy
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagedistinct on {010}, poor on {110} and {011}
Fracturesubconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.95
Colorswhite, light blue, turquoise
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityWenshan Mine, Dulong ore field, Wenshan County, Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China
Mineral GroupCarbonates
Usescollector, industrial
Associated Mineralscalcite, quartz, sulfides
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen displays a beautiful botryoidal to coralloidal habit, featuring a bubbly, cauliflower-like texture in shades of white and vibrant light turquoise-blue.
Geological Context
Aragonite forms in various low-temperature environments, including sedimentary deposits, hot springs, and caves, often as a metastable polymorph of calcite under specific pressure and temperature conditions.
