Aragonite

specimen number:
2341277

location:
Mamsa, Sidi Ayed, Boulemane Caidat, Boulemane Cercle, Fes-Meknes, Morocco

description:
Somewhat unusual for the species and locality, these are thin almost needlelike translucent colorless sharply terminated crystals of aragonite measuring to 3.2 cm in height coming straight off matrix. There are two good prominent crystals in many smaller ones present. This is in good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Jan Erik Larsen.

Located in the semi-desert highlands of the Fes-Meknes region in Morocco, Mamsa within the Sidi Ayed commune is situated in a geological zone composed of greenish Triassic volcanic rock and surrounding sedimentary formations. Hydrothermal activity inside flat, discoidal pockets and vugs within these volcanic hosts facilitated the crystallization of aragonite, an unstable calcium carbonate polymorph that often forms alongside dark contrasting calcite. The locality gained significant international attention among mineral collectors following major discoveries in 2022, when local miners extracted exceptional specimens from fragile surface deposits. The aragonite from Mamsa displays remarkable diversity in habit, ranging from brilliant sprays of needle-like colorless or white crystals to stubby, pseudohexagonal cyclic twins and rare, highly lustrous prismatic crystals reaching several centimeters in length.

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