ARAGONITE
Specimen ara-15
$ 24.00Dims: 1.2 x 0.9 x 0.9" (3.0 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm)
Wt: 1.18 oz. (33.6 g) w/ box
Tuscany, Italy
This thumbnail specimen consists of a small geode that has been broken into 3 pieces. The inner surface of this geode is lined with hundreds of tiny Aragonite needles that do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length, and less than 1 mm in diameter. All are in excellent condition due to the protective hollows of the concave pieces. Though magnification is needed to be sure, I believe that their hexagonal form is very good- individual crystals have a pearly luster on their faces. All appear to be milky-white in coloration and translucent upon first glance, but close examination with a loupe or magnifier shows that each crystal is colorless, transparent, and moderately to dimly clear. Accompanying the Aragonites are many small, brown-black kutnohorite nodules, some of which have an almost crystalline shape. They do not exceed 2 mm in diameter, have a dull, matte luster, and are opaque. The geode skin appears to be made out of a pale brown calcareous shale, and the pieces are affixed to the inside of an oblong specimen box with an adhesive putty.