CaCO₃
Aragonite
The same calcium carbonate as calcite, stacked in an orthorhombic lattice instead of a rhombohedron.
- Formula
- CaCO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5–4
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Colour
- white, yellow
- Element
- earth
- Chakra (tradition)
- sacral
- Zodiac
- Capricorn, Virgo
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Aragon, Morocco
What it actually is
Aragonite is CaCO₃ before it is a story. The lattice is orthorhombic, Mohs 3.5–4, and the eye meets white, yellow.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Aragon, Morocco. The same calcium carbonate as calcite, stacked in an orthorhombic lattice instead of a rhombohedron.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Aragonite to earth and to the sacral centre. The old site stood it near: Capricorn, Virgo.
How not to turn it to ash
Softer than a steel knife. No ultrasonic bath, no acid, no sudden heat. Dust wants a dry cloth.