The Crystal and Mineral Vault

Welcome to our Crystal and Mineral Knowledge Hub, where science tradition and mindful practice come together. This space is dedicated to exploring the formation properties and cultural associations of crystals and minerals through Mineral Vault profiles and practical guides designed to encourage informed discovery and deeper understanding.

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Aragonite Sputnik: The Crystal That Beat Sputnik to the Shape

by Laura Konst

Aragonite Sputnik is a radial crystal habit of Aragonite, a calcium carbonate mineral chemically identical to Calcite but structurally entirely different. The sputnik form — named for its resemblance to the 1957 Soviet satellite — develops through rapid precipitation from supersaturated solutions, with each crystal radiating outward from a shared nucleation point. This guide explores the polymorph science behind Aragonite and Calcite, the biological role of Aragonite in coral reefs and pearl, the full range of Aragonite habits, and why this fragile specimen needs careful dry storage.

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