ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 8: Issue #6, March 7, 2007
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Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> Aragonite | |
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| ORE'S Featured Gemstone: Aragonite
Discovery is a great joy! I began my Aragonite studies with the expectation of learning about a single interesting and unusual crystal. I discovered an abundantly diverse Calcium mineral that sprouts in a variety of environments and appears to be in a constant state of birthing and evolving. Aragonite is a Calcium Carbonate crystal that grows in three very different situations and as a fossil. It resembles Calcite (another Calcium Carbonate crystal) in chemical composition, but its crystal does not have the same atomic structure. Within Aragonite and Calcite crystalline triangles form with a Carbon molecule in the center and three Oxygen molecules at each corner. However, in the Aragonite crystal the Carbon molecules does not exist on the same plane as the Oxygen. The Carbon exists on a separate plane, with the Oxygen molecules opposing the Carbon. This creates a diamond like shape that causes these molecular triangles to appear "folded". Temperatures and pressures have to be just right in order for this molecular anomaly to occur. Too much heat or too little pressure and the result will be Calcite instead of Aragonite. This slightly altered arrangement of molecules encourages Aragonite crystals to twin and triple themselves into hexagonal shapes that seem to be a single formation. It is actually rare for Aragonite to generate a single crystal. Single Aragonite crystals tend to be needle like points and can be the most colorful. Aragonite occurs in a wide range of colors; blue, green (some greens exhibit fluorescence), white, brown, orange, yellow, pink and red. This variation is usually due to other trace minerals like Titanium, Magnesium, Manganese, Aluminum, Barium, Strontium and Vanadium that find their way into crystals. Aragonite is very unstable. If left in the ground without heat and pressure, within 100 years or so, it will revert to Calcite. The first Aragonite crystals were found near the Aragon River in Spain around 1788. Clusters of tube like crystals resembling worms or coral were named for the river. These specimens also inspired romantic names like Flos Ferri (flowers of Iron) and Church Steeples. As our knowledge of geology, molecules and science grew, the twisted diamond habit of the Thermal heated waters from springs and geysers release Calcium as they reach the surface, which becomes carbonated as it reacts with Oxygen. Aragonite forms mounds and pipes around these exit points. Caves carved through calcium rich hills produce spectacular Aragonite stalactites as water percolates through the stoney layers. These youthful gemstone deposits have been given names like Mexican Onyx, Marble Onyx and Suisan Marble. This encourages tourists to purchase more momentos carved from it. Formations found in caves are also referred to as Tufa and Calcareous Tufa. Another recurring source of Aragonite is a calcium rich secretion that Oysters, Mollusks and other bivalve shell fish manufacture. This protective fluid will line the interior their hard shells and attach to tiny irritants that get caught in the creatures. As the Aragonite hardens and crystalizes it forms a smooth coating around these foreign objects, protecting their tender bodies. You know these Aragonite secretions as Pearls, Abalone and Mother of Pearl. This last variety of Aragonite is responsible for a fairly new organic gemstone called Ammolite. A new gem that joins the ranks of Amber and Jet as the only non mineral materials that are worthy of the term "gemstone". Gemstone merely refers to any "stone" that is used for ornamentation. Officially recognized in 1981 by the International Colored Gemstone Commission (ICGC), Ammolite is only found in North America. Along the Northeast Rockies between Alberta Canada and Montana USA, which was the sight of the Western Interior Seaway (Bearpaw Sea). The area is also known as the Bearpaw formation. Like their modern descendants, ancient shell fish also formed colorful inner shells to protect their bodies. These primal shells were formed with the same mineral, Aragonite. Ammonites fossils are found all over the world (they are named for the Egyptian God Ammon). However, in this corner of the planet, hundreds of thousands of Ammonites and other creatures were suddenly buried under deep layers of volcanic ash and silt. The thick layer cut off oxygen, which would have caused the decay of these ancient Earth residents. Instead, the suffocating mud allowed these creatures to fossilize and leave behind their colorful shells for us to find millions of years later. Fossilized Aragonite shells retained all the colors and show off an almost opalescence quality. Though extremely rare, prices for Ammolite remain reasonable. Besides these multiple variations of Aragonite, there is also a group of crystals that are categorized under as the "Aragonite Group". While we are only focusing on the main crystal for this article, here are the names of the other crystals that fall within this group: Cerussite, Stontianite, Witerite and Niter. Aragonite is an amazing crystal to invite into your life. Its ability to thrive is so many different environments makes this a powerful companion stone for someone that is dealing with constant change. If you are in a situation where the ability to adapt to different people, circumstances, events or outside factors is crucial, consider carrying this gem with you. Not only will Aragonite assist you in feeling comfortable in challenging situations, but will allow your best colors to shine through. Do you work in an environment where outside influences are a constant source of irritation? Keep an Aragonite at your desk or in your pocket. The gem's influence will help smooth out these irritations and prevent them from injuring your tender heart and self-esteem. Aragonite also teaches you the danger of indecision. Waiting too long to decide, hoping things will work themselves out, leaves you in a stagnant, buried state. This gem reminds you that it is how you respond to the pressures and heat around you that make you a colorful gem to enjoy. A life lived buried in the dirt, without challenges and trials never allows for transformation or beautiful growth. Are you easily distracted by events and people around you? When it's time for you to focus and finish your project, consider keeping an Aragonite with you. It will shield distractions, assisting you in reaching your goals more smoothly and gracefully. This is also true when using the crystal in meditation. It will block outside influences and thoughts that are preventing you from reaching your meditative state. No other gemstone or crystal can keep you more in the moment than an Aragonite companion. As a fossil, Ammolite will be extremely useful in doing past life meditations. Fossils also tend to promote long life. Water fossils provide protection against drowning and storms while traveling over water. Healers will find Aragonite's high Calcium content to be very beneficial for healing bones, teeth and solving digestive issues. Use the various colors to influence the different Chakra. Whites and blues are beneficial for the upper Chakra, especially five, six and seven. Browns and reds assist in clearing and balancing the first Chakra, yellows and orange for the second and third. Green and pink are excellent for your Heart Chakra. \Aragonite may help alleviate chills brought on by fever or hypothermia. It may also be very helpful during a long convalescence, assisting the body to return to its healthiest state. The ancient Egyptians believed it prevented hair loss, wrinkles and bad skin. Pictures of Aragonite o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE extra small Aragonite Receive a FREE small Aragonite with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be an ORE FEATURES subscriber as of March 7, 2007 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. This Subscriber Special expires April 4, 2007 o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o SKY NOTES Fourth Quarter Moon, Sunday March 11 11:54 pm ET o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o Family Visit My apologies for not having a great article to place here this month. Unfortunately there was some tragic drama with my family over the last month and I needed to travel back to the Ozarks for a visit. This drastically cut down on my time to work on this ORE FEATURES issue. There were two, totally unrelated, but equally disturbing events. A first cousin committed suicide and succeeded. My brother also attempted suicide, but fortunately failed. I wish that there was some beautiful gem of wisdom that I was able to gleam from these events to share with you. Perhaps I am too numb to do so. Right now I only have this to share from my experience. The web that connects us is unrelenting and undeniable. Every action of every human causes that web to strengthen or weaken. No matter how alone you feel you are. No matter how useless you feel you might be. Your actions influence this web. We are not single, isolated beings, but members of a great, complex and tragic experience called life. Did you ever stop to consider how far a smile you shared might go? Or an angry glare that you gave a bumbling clerk? Never, for a moment believe that you have no influence. That you cannot effect change. That the ripples you create do not reach others. You do. You can. And you will touch the lives of others. The magic is in how you do it. o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Favorite Sweethearts Contest Winner! Congratulations to Linda S. of Michigan. Her name was drawn as the winner of the Favorite Sweet Heart contest. Both she and her Sweet Heart will receive Stone Power Prayer Pouches of their choice. Thanks to everyone that shared their Sweet Hearts! Watch for the next contest coming in April!! Ozark Rock Exchange will be eight years old! o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? NEW ARRIVALS: Beautiful natural crystal pendants in Aquamarine, Rose Quartz Points and Emeralds should be in the catalog by mid month. ORE FEATURES ARCHIVES: The 2006 archives are now complete. I am working on a solution to keep the past eight years and begin the next eight years of archives. However, as a technically challenged individual, I am open to anyone with a great idea on how to do this. Please send them to stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com ORE'S POET PAGE: Posted the first essay in the latest update to the Poets Page. Ed Thomas sent a wonderful tale about our attempts to harness nature. There are also new poems from Sherri Quinn, Cat and Patricia Bell. See the newest update at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/poets/index.shtml Send your submissions for the March update to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com - Please send your poem, prose or short essay as text (please do not send .txt or .doc attachments) in an email to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com - put Poets Page in the subject line. Click here to visit the current edition of ORE's Poets Page: http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/poets/index.shtml o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o ©Copyright 2007, Stephanie Pflumm, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor/founder, Stephanie Pflumm. Please feel free to share with a friend. o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o |
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