{"product_id":"botryoidal-malachite-specimen-from-the-katanga-copperbelt-drc-copy","title":"Extra Large Aragonite Star Cluster from Safro Mine, Morocco","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis large \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAragonite Star Cluster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from the Safro Mine at Bou Azzer, Morocco, is an impressive and highly intricate specimen covered in hundreds of closely packed translucent crystals. The cluster displays a beautiful combination of peach, salmon-orange, honey and creamy-white colours, with numerous crystals showing the distinctive pseudohexagonal forms created by natural twinning. Many of the crystals have clearly defined flat terminations, while others project from the surface in layered clusters, creating exceptional depth and texture. The variation in colour and crystal size gives the specimen a wonderfully natural, three-dimensional appearance, with attractive crystal development visible from every angle. This is a substantial and eye-catching example of the unusual Moroccan Aragonite specimens prized by mineral collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMineral:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aragonite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated Minerals:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e None observed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocality:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Safro Mine, Bou Azzer, Morocco\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal System:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Orthorhombic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Peach, Salmon Orange, Honey and Creamy White\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLustre:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vitreous to Pearly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransparency:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Translucent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Twinned, Pseudohexagonal Prismatic and Clustered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 89 × 75 × 40 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 342 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow Aragonite Star Clusters Form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAragonite forms when calcium-rich, carbonate-bearing fluids provide the right conditions for crystals to grow. As the crystals develop, several individual Aragonite crystals can grow together in a repeating pattern called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwinning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This creates the distinctive star-like and six-sided shapes seen in these Moroccan specimens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the crystals may look hexagonal, Aragonite actually belongs to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eorthorhombic crystal system\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The apparent six-sided shape is called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epseudohexagonal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is produced by the way the individual crystals grow together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flat ends seen across the cluster are also natural features of crystal growth. As Aragonite crystals develop, certain crystal faces form more strongly than others, creating the characteristic flat termination surfaces. These natural terminations, combined with the unusual twinning, give an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAragonite Star Cluster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e its distinctive geometric appearance. The crystals are naturally formed this way rather than being cut or shaped.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Safro Mine at Bou Azzer is a recognised locality for attractive twinned Aragonite, with Moroccan specimens from the locality commonly displaying translucent, cinnamon to orange-coloured pseudohexagonal crystals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Metaphysical Meaning of Aragonite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn crystal traditions, Aragonite is associated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egrounding, stability, balance and patience\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It is often regarded as a stone that encourages a stronger connection with the Earth and a calm, centred energy. These are traditional metaphysical beliefs and are not scientifically established properties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its remarkable natural geometry and warm earthy colours, an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAragonite Star Cluster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e can be appreciated both as a beautiful mineral specimen and as a meaningful addition to a crystal collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd this exceptional Aragonite Star Cluster from the Safro Mine to your collection and enjoy the unusual natural geometry, warm Moroccan colours and fascinating twinned crystal formations that make each specimen unique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_Tuc26","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46549024506052,"sku":"S990","price":400.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S990AragoniteStarClsuter_1.webp?v=1787236225","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/botryoidal-malachite-specimen-from-the-katanga-copperbelt-drc-copy","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}