Properties:
Aragonite shares many properties with its sister mineral, calcite. The shared qualities include: supporting and increasing development on both a physical and spiritual level; ‘fizzing away’ that which is not wanted, and clearing on every level, thereby improving clarity of thought and purpose, and detoxifying the body; opening and strengthening the chakras, and encouraging stability and self-trust, while promoting the transformation of ideas into actions; facilitating ‘clear vision’, and aiding multidimensional practice and meditation, allowing discernment between the dimensions; healing and strengthening of bones and teeth, as well as strengthening cell walls, and supporting blood-clotting.

In addition to these attributes, aragonite clears unwanted energy throughout the body, including in each chakra and the energy body, and goes some way towards balancing all chakras. Although the vibration is high, it is surprisingly calming, making it especially effective in cases of oversensitivity. It can relieve tension headache by being placed directly on the Third Eye, and can also help relieve ‘foggy head’ and aid mental clarity. According to Gienger, it teaches us flexibility and tolerance (symbolised by its wide range of formation and habit), and stabilises physical and spiritual development. Shape and colour enhance the energy of each variety, and as aragonite has a number of crystal habits and colours, each will work in a slightly different way. For example, the flowing stalactitic variety from China washes through the body like the flow of a waterfall, while the ‘sputnik’ shape from Morocco clears from the inside out. As many of the “sputniks” are coated with iron oxide, the energy tends to be earthier with a stronger connection to the physical body. Purple aragonite from Spain is calming, and exceptionally clearing for the Third Eye. The pale pink aggregate from China provides the candyfloss – soft, gentle, fluffy and appealing.

Attributes:

  • Chemical Formula: CaO3
  • Group: Carbonates
  • Crystal System: Orthorhombic
  • Hardness: 3.5 – 4
  • Birthstone: Secondary birthstone for Capricorn
  • Chakra: Mainly Crown, with some variation according to colour
  • Element: Spirit (for most)

Mineralogy:
Aragonite forms at low temperatures near the Earth’s surface. It is found in the oxidation zone of ore deposits, as stalactites in caves, in the vicinity of hot springs, and in mineral veins. It can form coral-like aggregates in iron ore deposits, when it is known as flos-ferri. Aragonite displays a wide range of colour, habit and appearance. It is most frequently sold as columnar radiating crystal clusters known as ‘sputniks’.

Aragonite and calcite are pseudomorphs of calcium carbonate, and are chemically identical, though aragonite forms under more limited physio-chemical conditions than calcite. The two are differentiated by crystal system: aragonite is orthorhombic, while calcite is trigonal. Pearl, mother-of-pearl, abalone and many other shells and hard outer coverings of marine invertebrates are aragonite. The columnar crystals frequently twin, sometimes coming together as six individual crystals to create a pseudohexagonal column. Purple aragonite is a good example of this. Aragonite is a relatively unstable mineral, and can easily alter to calcite.

History and Tradition:
Named in 1797 after the type locality, the village of Molina de Aragón, Spain – and not the province of Aragón, a common mistake made by several later writers. As it was discovered relatively recently, there are no traditions associated with this mineral.

Aragonite

Aragonite "hedgehog"

 

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