| Aragonite is a calcium carbonate, chemically identical with calcite. The mineral calcite, however, differs from Aragonite due to its internal crystal structure. While the crystal system of calcite is trigonal, the system of aragonite is rhombic. Dense masses of small aragonite crystals are difficul ... moreAragonite is a calcium carbonate, chemically identical with calcite. The mineral calcite, however, differs from Aragonite due to its internal crystal structure. While the crystal system of calcite is trigonal, the system of aragonite is rhombic. Dense masses of small aragonite crystals are difficult to distinguish from calcite, but they are larger, they show a distinct habit. A lot of chapters in this portrait will give you much more details about this interesting mineral. Written and investigated by Peter Seroka. (Article in german) |
| ... Der gewöhnliche Habitus des Anatas ist dipyramidal, wobei die Doppelpyramide {111} spitzer als die Doppelpyramide {112} ist und der Form nach einem Oktaeder gleichkommt (aber auch rundlich oder flachdipyramidal). Die Enden der Kristalle sind unterschiedlich, oft nur an den Kristallen eine Dipyra ... more... Der gewöhnliche Habitus des Anatas ist dipyramidal, wobei die Doppelpyramide {111} spitzer als die Doppelpyramide {112} ist und der Form nach einem Oktaeder gleichkommt (aber auch rundlich oder flachdipyramidal). Die Enden der Kristalle sind unterschiedlich, oft nur an den Kristallen eine Dipyramide ohne weitere Flächen. Dies ist der am häufigst vorkommende Habitus. Weniger, jedoch nicht selten, treten Dipyramiden mit abgestumpften Spitzen auf, bzw. auch durch eine Basisfläche angeschnitten, welche wiederum von Flächen weiterer Dipyramiden begleitet sein kann. Stumpfere Dipyramidern können ... Ein Beitrag von Peter Seroka |
| Iin 1546 Georgius Agricola reported about a white metal which is fused to the Rammelsberg lead and silver melter and that you could scrape off. He called this metal "contrefey", because it could imitate gold. Agricola did not recognize that this metal was zinc. He further observed that a similar met ... moreIin 1546 Georgius Agricola reported about a white metal which is fused to the Rammelsberg lead and silver melter and that you could scrape off. He called this metal "contrefey", because it could imitate gold. Agricola did not recognize that this metal was zinc. He further observed that a similar metal, which he named from some unknown reasons "ZINCUM" arose under similar circumstances in Silesia during smelting. |