Large Aragonite Star Cluster with Rich Cinnamon Crystal Growth

This Large Aragonite Star Cluster is a distinctive collector's specimen covered in a dense carpet of tightly packed, twinned Aragonite crystals. The crystals range from warm cinnamon and terracotta-orange through softer peach and translucent cream tones, creating attractive natural colour variation across the specimen. Its unusual three-dimensional form features several rounded and raised crystal-rich sections, while the contrasting lighter areas reveal the intricate internal growth of the cluster.

The numerous pseudohexagonal crystals give this specimen the characteristic geometric appearance associated with Moroccan Aragonite Star Clusters. Viewed from different angles, the crystal faces catch the light to reveal a subtle vitreous to pearly lustre, while the dense crystal coverage gives the specimen exceptional visual texture. Its substantial size and distinctive natural form make it particularly appealing as a display specimen for collectors of Moroccan minerals and unusual crystal formations.

Specimen Details

✓ Mineral: Aragonite
✓ Locality: Safro Mine, Bou Azzer, Morocco
✓ Crystal System: Orthorhombic
✓ Colour: Cinnamon Orange, Terracotta, Peach and Cream
✓ Lustre: Vitreous to Pearly
✓ Transparency: Translucent
✓ Crystal Habit: Twinned, Pseudohexagonal Prismatic and Clustered
✓ Size Category: Large
✓ Specimen Size: Approximately 75 × 47 × 52 mm
✓ Weight: 224 g

The Fascinating Crystal Structure of Aragonite

Aragonite is a calcium carbonate mineral belonging to the orthorhombic crystal system. Although individual Aragonite crystals are not truly hexagonal, Moroccan specimens are renowned for their distinctive pseudohexagonal appearance, produced by repeated twinning during crystal growth.

This twinning allows numerous crystals to develop together in complex patterns, creating the dense, star-like clusters that make these specimens so visually distinctive. The individual crystals can vary considerably in size, with smaller crystals filling spaces between larger, more prominent crystal faces.

The warm orange and cinnamon colouring of Moroccan Aragonite adds another dimension to these natural formations. Variations in colour, translucency, crystal size and growth pattern mean that every cluster develops its own character.

The Beauty of Moroccan Aragonite

Morocco is particularly well known among mineral collectors for producing attractive Aragonite specimens with intricate twinned crystal formations. The combination of unusual crystal geometry, earthy colours and dense growth makes these specimens excellent examples of the remarkable variety found within the mineral kingdom.

This specimen is especially interesting because of its irregular, sculptural shape and contrasting areas of lighter and darker crystal growth. Rather than presenting a uniform layer of crystals, its surface changes noticeably from one area to another, rewarding close examination from multiple angles.

A substantial and highly detailed Moroccan Aragonite Star Cluster, this 224 g specimen is a beautiful addition to a mineral collection and an impressive natural display piece.