Green Aragonite · 180 g

Description

A pale green Aragonite specimen with radiating crystal sprays around an open central surface. The translucent, near-colourless crystal edges contrast with the green interior and darker matrix along the margins.

The supplied locality is Wenshan Zinc Mine, Wenshan City, Yunnan, China. I have retained the mineral identification and locality provided with the specimen.

The dimensions refer to the mineral specimen.

This specimen is shown on a clear bevelled glass base. Please look closely at the photographs for natural edges, crystal surfaces and contact areas.

You will receive the exact specimen photographed. Colour may vary with lighting and screen settings.

The radiating arrangement gives the specimen a clear sense of direction. Individual crystals extend into a broader group, with their different orientations building the overall outline. The fan or spray is worth appreciating as a whole, while exposed edges and faces provide finer detail within it. This combination makes the form more interesting than a uniform crystalline surface.

Aragonite is calcium carbonate, with the same basic composition as Calcite but a different crystal structure. It belongs to the orthorhombic system and can develop slender crystals, radiating groups and complex aggregates. This is a useful example of how the organisation of atoms can give minerals with similar chemistry quite different habits.

The interest of an Aragonite aggregate lies in the relationship between its small crystals and the outline they build together. Closely spaced growth can create a finely textured surface, while more open areas reveal individual directions and edges. Its natural architecture is best appreciated as a three-dimensional group, with depth and surface detail contributing as much as the principal colour.

The recorded origin is Wenshan Zinc Mine, Yunnan, China. Within a collection of Aragonite specimens, this locality gives the piece a geographical identity alongside its particular crystal habit and natural setting.

The specimen measures 70 × 52 × 40 mm, with a recorded weight of 180 g. The proportions give a useful guide to its place in a display, with the individual crystal arrangement and mineral association remaining the principal points of interest.

Support the stable matrix or the supplied mount when moving the specimen, avoiding pressure on projecting growth. A secure indoor display allows its natural form and surface detail to be appreciated while protecting exposed crystal edges.