5.3" Botryoidal Aragonite Cave Calcite Crystal Cluster Mineral Specimen Morocco

Location: Morocco

Weight: 14.2 Ounces

Dimensions: 5.3 Inches Long, 2.6 Inches Wide, 2.1 Inches Wide

The item pictured is the item you will receive 

Without Aragonite, many of Earth’s organisms could not exist. This is a mineral most invertebrate organisms use to construct their shells and hard parts. So if you have ever admired a colorful seashell, you have already paid tribute to the range of colors Aragonite comes in and indirectly to the ease with which Aragonite forms at the Earth’s surface. 

Aragonite and calcite share the same chemical makeup but differ slightly in their crystal structures, classifying them as polymorphs. These minerals often appear together and are so alike that telling them apart is usually only necessary for geologists. While calcite is more stable and prevalent in today’s seas, there were periods in Earth’s history when aragonite was more dominant. Both minerals exhibit nearly identical physical characteristics, making this specimen a fascinating example of nature’s subtle variations.

Calcite, a bold calcium carbonate mineral with a hardness of 3, flaunts a stunning range of forms and colors across every continent. This powerhouse mineral dominates marble and limestone’s composition. Yellow Calcite, often appearing in solid masses rather than delicate crystals, reaches its peak in spectacular specimens from Mexico. Add some daring earth-born brilliance to your collection with this mineral marvel.

Calcite gets its name from the Greek word “chalix,” meaning lime. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including red, green, orange, yellow, blue, pink, clear, black, and white.  It is one of the most common minerals on Earth, making up the basis of limestone and marble. It takes many different forms and is formed in many different geological environments. Some forms fluoresce blue or red under UV light. It has been used to make cement and mortar, and very clear translucent calcite has been used to make gun sights and geological (polarizing) microscopes.