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The Magic of Rocks and StonesAragonite
Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean MartinAragon,
Spain is where Aragonite was first discovered and from where the mineral gets
its name. Aragonite, also called Tchazar Crystal, is a common carbonate
mineral. It is unfortunately often
thought of as the poor cousin to calcite. But
aragonite is an interesting and attractive mineral in its own right.
It forms interesting habits and can have a soft pretty color.
Its modes of formation and relationship to calcite are both curious and
intriguing. Aragonite
is a polymorph of calcite, which means that it has the same chemistry as Calcite
but it has a different structure, and more importantly, different symmetry and
crystal shapes. Aragonite's more
compact structure is composed of triangular carbonate ion groups (CO3), with a
carbon at the center of the triangle and the three oxygens at each corner. Unlike in Calcite, the carbonate ions do not lie in a single
plane pointing in the same direction. Instead
they lie in two planes that point in opposite directions; destroying the
trigonal symmetry that is characteristic of Calcite's structure. Aragonite's
most famous crystal habit is the twinned pseudo-hexagonal prismatic crystals
that it produces. Twinning is the
result of an error during the growth of the crystal.
It occurs when the atomic layer stacking, in a sequence such as
ABCABCABCABCABCABC etc, makes a mistake and a C layer instead of a B layer is
place next to an A layer. The
result is an ABCABCABCACBACBACBA stacking sequence (can you pick out the
mistake?). Where the mistake
occurs, a mirror plane is produced that was not there before (the left side is
the mirror image
of the right side). This has the effect of increasing the apparent symmetry of
the crystal. The "error"
in Aragonite's structure causes a bend in the crystal of exactly 120 degrees.
If three bends or twins occur, then a 360 degree crystal, called a cyclic
twin or trilling, can form. In this
case, Aragonite can appear hexagonal (six sided).
These crystals can be thought of as a "triple siamese twin"
where one crystal takes up one third (or 120 degrees) of a hexagon. Aragonite
is also a constituent of many sea creatures' shell structures; a curious
development since Calcite is the more stable form of calcium carbonate.
Most bivalve animals and corals secrete Aragonite for their shells and
pearls are composed of mostly Aragonite. The
pearlization and iridescent colors in sea-shells such as Abalone and Mother of
Pearl are made possible by several minute layers of Aragonite.
Other environments of formation include hot springs deposits, cavities in
volcanic rocks, caves and mines. General
Information:
*Chemistry:
CaCO3, Calcium Carbonate *Class:
Carbonates *Group:
Aragonite *Color:
Can be white or colorless or with subdued shades of yellow, orange, gold,
brown, green and even blue. *Luster:
Vitreous to dull. *Crystal
System: Orthorhombic, 2/m 2/m 2/m *Crystal
Habit: Columnar or fibrous.
Twinned pseudo-hexagonal prismatic crystals.
Twinning is the result of an "error" during the growth of the
crystal. Instead of a
"normal" single crystal, twins will often appear doubled where two
appear to be growing out of or into each other. Can also include a diverse assortment of thin elongated
prismatic, curved bladed, steep pyramidal (spiked) and chisel shaped crystals.
A branching tree, coral or worm-like delicate form is called "flos
ferri". Can also be compact,
granular, radially fibrous and massive. Its
massive forms can be layered, coralloid, pisolitic, oolitic, globular,
stalachtitic and encrusting. Aragonite
is a constituent of many species' shell structures.
A layered sedimentary marble like formation is called Mexican Onyx and is
used for carvings and ornamental purposes.
Calcite pseudomorphs of aragonite crystals and formations are common. *Cleavage:
Distinct in one direction - pinacoidal. *Fracture:
Subconchoidal *Hardness:
3.5 - 4 *Specific
Gravity: 2.9+ (average for
non-metallic minerals) *Streak:
White *Other
Characteristics: Transparent to translucent. Aragonite effervesces easily in
cold dilute hydrochloric acid, is strongly birefringent, is fluorescent and its
refractive index is 1.7 *Notable
Occurrences: Aragon, Spain (its type locality and from where it gets its
name); Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia; Morocco; Bastennes, France; Girgenti, Sicily;
Alston Moor and Cleator Moor, Cumberland, England; Baja California, Mexico
(Mexican Onyx); Tsumeb, Namibia; Carinthia, Austria; Leadhills, Scotland; Harz
Mountains, Germany and in several localities in the Southwestern United States.
*Best
Field Indicators: Crystal habits, single plane of cleavage and reaction to
acid. *Uses:
Minor constituent of Limestone which is used in cement and in steel
production, ornamental carvings and as mineral specimens. Myths
and Lore:
Aragonite
enhances ones patience and helps one to "maintain" comfortably during
conditions requiring the acceptance of an abundance of responsibilities.
When consciously directed, it can help one to achieve a stricter
discipline, strengthening reliability and practicality.
It can provide insight into the basis of a problem on the physical plane
along with stimulating communication on the higher planes.
Aragonite centers and is popular in its use for meditation. A
reliable earth-healer, Aragonite is attuned to Gaia.
This stone transforms geopathic stress and clears blockages even at a
distance. It stabilizes the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras, deepening
the connection between Earth and Self. Metaphysical
Properties:
Astrological
Sign: Capricorn, Cancer. Sacral,
Solar Plexus, Brow Chakras. Astral
Travel. Meditation. Centering. Energy
enhancing. Uplifting. Spiritual
growth. Self
worth. Calms
and soothes. *Gives
physical aid in treating: Depression.
Chronic fatigue. Hair loss;
skin disorders. Helps with
deficiencies in Vitamins A and D. Combats
chills and outer limb aches and pains. *NOTE:
Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and
procedures, and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. My
own thoughts and experiences:
When
I'm feeling any sort of stress or anxiety, one of my favorite stone pendants to
reach for is my heart-shaped Aragonite. A
soft, light creamy yellow stone (actually one of my very favorite colors) that
lends its ability to calm whatever is bothering you and inevitably tempers your
mood. Reminiscent of that soft yet
bright morning glow in the East when all is still quiet and yet on the verge of
awakening, Aragonite brings that same bright and vivid glow into the pit of your
being. It also, within moments of use, will bring that very soft,
quiet smile. Using
the darker orange-brown hexagonal crystal variety of Aragonite, you may find
that it raises your vibration, making you more physically aware of your Higher
Self, while at the same time helping you to stay in tune with the Earth Spirits
so that you may better connect the two. Use
this form of the stone to bring encounters with the Fey, especially those of
woodland type. While
sitting in a favorite spot of the garden or walking gently through the woods in
an area that seems especially quiet and somehow more vivid to you, hold your
Aragonite crystal in the palm of your projective hand and chant these words (or
words of your own), letting your breath sweep through and past the stone's
facets: Good faerie, sprite and woodland gnome, I
beckon you come from your home, Come
dance for me and show your face, In this fair serene protected space. End.
Sources:
"Stones
Alive!" ~ Marilyn & Tohmas Twintreess "Love
Is In the Earth" ~ Melody http://www.mineralminers.com/html/aquminfo.htm
- physprop http://www.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/aquamari/aquamari.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquamarine
© 2006 Patricia J. Martin
Website:
http://www.peacefulpaths.com/
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