TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Aragonito

Aragonito is a mineral with formula CaCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Mina La Pesquera, Minglanilla, Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha, España.

Aragonito from Mina La Pesquera, Minglanilla, Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha, España — Terrium

Description

Reddish-brown aragonite column with very good, strong vitreous lustre, partially coated by small secondary crystals. The prismatic morphology is very well developed, and the contrast in texture between the main prism and the aggregates gives the specimen a very sculptural character.

About Aragonito

Aragonite is a calcium carbonate that crystallises in the orthorhombic system, commonly forming prisms or twins with pointed terminations. It is less stable than calcite and can transform into it over time, but its crystal forms make it much valued in collections.

About the locality

In Minglanilla, Cuenca, aragonites occur in veins and lodes within Triassic limestones and marls, producing brown or reddish prismatic crystals. La Pesquera is a classic locality that has yielded specimens well regarded for their lustre and architecture.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0612
Internal reference
X0322
Composition
CaCO₃
Name
Aragonito
Group
Carbonatos
Category
Lucimera
Mine
Mina La Pesquera
District / Municipality
Minglanilla
Province
Cuenca
Region
Castilla-La Mancha
Country
España
Etymology
From the place name "Aragón", where it was first described in 1790.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

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