Description
Aragonite Sputnik 10.5 cm across
This Aragonite Sputnik is an excellent example of this fascinating mineral. This colourful specimen is from the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco near the city of Fez.
Aragonite is a Carbonate mineral, a crystal form of calcium carbonate. There are similarities with calcite, another calcium carbonate, but aragonite is the harder of the two and not nearly as common. It can be colourless or clear but also red, green, and orange. On the Mohs scale of hardness it is from 3.5 to 4. Aragonite being a carbonated metamorphous stone means it frequently occurs in stalactites. It is also occurs in the shells of living molluscs, and fossils millions of years old. It was given its name in 1797 after the large mineral deposits at the village of ‘Molina de Aragon’ in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. In Spain its name is ‘aragonito’. Aragonite Sputniks get their name due to a resemblance to the Russian sputnik satellite, of in 1957.
Metaphysically, Aragonite is a reliable grounding stone, and especially useful during stressful times. This is a stabilising stone that is good for assisting concentration, bringing flexibility and tolerance. It can also be useful for calming emotional stress, providing strength and support.
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