Aragonite - Arrigas, France | Ref. 566

This aragonite from Arrigas (France) displays a compact cluster of very fine fibrous crystallizations. The numerous, tightly grouped needles form rounded and slightly elongated volumes, with several cylindrical extensions visible on the upper and lateral parts of the specimen. The whole shows a very pale green hue, uniform throughout, giving the structure a soft, matte appearance.

The terminations consist of densely packed micro-crystals, creating an almost velvety texture in some areas, while other zones appear more crystalline, especially toward the base. The specimen rests on an acrylic stand. Its dimensions (87 mm wide and 65 mm high) correspond to a medium-sized piece, typical of French aragonites collected in the 1990s.

This aragonite comes from the former Arrigas mine in the Gard region, a locality historically worked for copper and zinc before its closure in the early 20th century. The abandoned galleries and waste piles later produced occasional secondary crystallizations such as aragonite. These specimens appear regularly in older collections but remain generally uncommon on the current market.

🟢 Mineral Information

- Chemical formula: CaCO₃

- Crystal system: Orthorhombic

- Luster: Vitreous to silky

- Hardness: 3.5–4 (Mohs)

- Density: Approx. 2.9 g/cm³

- Varieties: Fibrous aragonite, needle-like aragonite