# Aragonite

Aragonite is a beautiful mineral that forms in caves and the ocean. It can be found in many colors like white, pink, and blue. Some people use aragonite to make jewelry and decorations.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

![Aragonite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aragonite_2_Enguidanos.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aragonite_2_Enguidanos.jpg)

## Appearance

The Aragonite often forms needle-like crystals or branching, coral-like structures called flos ferri. It can be colorless, white, yellow, or even vibrant blue, sometimes appearing as delicate, radiating sprays. Its unique crystal shapes and often acicular habit help distinguish it.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- It's a secret ingredient in the dazzling luster of natural pearls!
- Scientists study aragonite to learn about past ocean temperatures and climates.
- Sometimes found growing in caves, forming intricate 'cave flower' formations.
- Under ultraviolet light, some aragonite crystals can glow in bright colors!

## Special abilities

- **Ocean Architect:** Aragonite is a key building block for the strong shells and skeletons of many marine creatures, like corals and mollusks.
- **Shape-Shifter's Secret:** Aragonite has a unique crystal structure, making it a polymorph that can naturally transform into calcite over time.
- **Heat Teller:** Aragonite can change into the mineral calcite when heated to temperatures around 400°C, marking past thermal events.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** white, colorless, yellow, blue, green
- **Hardness:** 3.5
- **Luster:** vitreous
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.95
- **Crystal System:** orthorhombic

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Fluorescent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fluorescent): Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light or other non-visible radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Aragonite is safe to handle but should not be ingested. Always wash your hands after touching minerals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Aragonite?

Compare crystal faces, growth shape, clarity and how the crystals cluster. A polished or tumbled stone has lost much of the natural shape that makes identification easier. Crystal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Aragonite be?

white, colorless, yellow, blue, green

### How hard is Aragonite?

3.5

### What kind of luster does Aragonite have?

vitreous

### What is Aragonite's specific gravity?

2.95

### What crystal system does Aragonite belong to?

orthorhombic

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Aragonite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aragonite)