Aragonite Beads

Aragonite beads are made from a mineral scientifically known as calcium carbonate. These gemstone beads can be fluorescent under black light. Aragonite is primarily used in cement and steel production in addition to its use in ornamental carvings, as mineral specimens, and as gemstone beads in jewelry making.

Aragonite gets its name from Aragon, Spain, where it was first discovered. It is also known as tufa. In addition to Spain, it is found in Morocco, France, Sicily, England, Mexico, Africa, Austria, Scotland, Germany, and the United States. It is found near the surface of the earth, such as in stalactites in caves. However, living organisms that produce shells which later turn into aragonite or calcium carbonate can also form it. It is chemically the same as calcium carbonate, but has a different crystalline structure that provides it a greater hardness and stability, making more useful in jewelry supplies.

Aragonite is an opaque to translucent pastel butterscotch yellow, white, gray, green, violet, or blue. It's unique color is it's offering to jewelry making projects, however it is also often carved into fountains, table tops, and sculpture. In jewelry making, fine mates for aragonite are carnelian, picture jasper, smoky topaz, malachite, green aventurine, red aventurine, or serpentine gemstone beads.

common treatments: none

special care: avoid abrasion

hardness: 3.5 - 4