By Chisom Ibemere
Aragonite is known as a naturally occurring crystal of calcium carbonate mineral. It’s formation is through some biological and physical activities such as precipitation actions which occurs from freshwater and marine habitats. It also occurs in all mollusks shell naturally. They may form all parts of mollusk shell or discrete parts.
The name “Aragonite” came to be after the Spanish province of Aragon in 1790. It is a Carbonite mineral with same chemical constituent as Calcite but differs in it’s physical structure. It is an Ornamental gemstone which may be in banded forms.
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Aragonite in purest form is colourless or white but may have varieties of colours in it’s unpure state. Such colours may include yellow, green, Pink and blue. It may be transparent or translucent. It is fairly brittle with a 3.5 mohs hardness and as such mainly used for Gemstone.
Aragonite are found in sedimentary environments with deposits from hot springs and may occur in veins and cavities as Calcite and Dolomites. Aragonite rich countries includes Aragon, France, Austria, Germany, Mexico etc.
Aragonites forms parts of Aragonite group and it is trimorphous with Calcite and Vaterite minerals. It is widely distributed. It helps to keep the pH of water near it in it’s natural state as well as prevention of dissolution of some biogenic Calcium carbonates. It provides materials for sea lives.
Aragonite is used for the removal of impurities or contaminants from wastewater such as Zinc, lead and cobalt. They are minute constituent of limestone which are used in the production of cement, steel in ornamental crafts production as well as mineral specimens.
