2.1" Red-Orange, Botryoidal Aragonite Formation - Peru

This is a beautiful formation of red-orange colored aragonite (aka cave calcite), collected from the Pachacayo Mine in Junín, Peru. The aragonite formed as botryoidal masses, with aggregations of larger, sharp crystals that protrude from some of these masses. When viewing the mineral under UV lighting, this specimen fluoresces a faint, yellow color. Following UV exposure, the aragonite displays phosphorescent properties that remain for only a few seconds.

Aragonite is a carbonate mineral with the chemical composition of CaCO3. It is a pseudomorph after calcite and varies in colors depending on impurities. It displays a translucent to white color when pure, and when impure can vary between yellow, green, pink, blue and brown. Typically forming in low temperature hydrothermal veins, It is also known to form in hot springs, as precipitates from chemicals in sedimentary rock, and in some cases as crystals in fossilized sea creatures.
Pachacayo Mine, Huancayo City, Junín, Peru
2.1x2" Cluster