aragonite

[uh-rag-uh-nahyt, ar-uh-guh-]

noun

1. a mineral, orthorhombic calcium carbonate, CaCO 3 , chemically identical with calcite but differing in crystallization and in having a higher specific gravity and less marked cleavage.

aragonite

/ əˈræɡəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a generally white or grey mineral, found in sedimentary rocks and as deposits from hot springs. Composition: calcium carbonate. Formula: CaCO 3 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic

aragonite

1. A usually white, yellowish, or pink orthorhombic mineral that can occur in many different colors. Aragonite occurs as acicular (needlelike) or tabular crystals, or as fibrous aggregates. It is found in gypsum deposits, at the tips of calcite crystals, in mollusk shells and pearls, and in living reef structures. It is a polymorph of calcite. Chemical formula: CaCO ₃ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of aragonite¹

1795–1805; named after Aragon (the province, where first found) + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of aragonite¹

C19: from _Aragon + _-ite ¹

Example Sentences

Heart cockles and many other marine animals use a special form of calcium carbonate called aragonite to make their shells.

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That said, in chitons this lens is formed of the mineral aragonite.

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The mollusc deposits layers of aragonite and conchiolin, which together form nacre, also know as mother-of-pearl.

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Studio Greytak, in Missoula, Montana, has designed a Jupiter lamp out of the mineral aragonite, depicting the whirling, turbulent gases of the planet.

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She also studied what would happen to aragonite, a mineral in seawater that marine organisms need to build shells around themselves.

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