21.5" Calcite & Aragonite Stalactite Formation

This enormous formation of calcite coating aragonite comes from Ighoud, Morocco. This large mass of mineral was removed from a cave where stalactite formations from iron-rich matrix are enshrouded in layers of aragonite and calcite crystal. About a third of this specimen has a web-like structure, while the rest is covered in a mass of aragonite crystal cluster.

Stalactites form when water, seeping through rock, reaches an opening such as a cave or tunnel. Once this mineral-rich water (calcite in this case) precipitates out of the rock wall/ceiling, it leaves behind a crystal as the precipitate builds with each drop of water.

Stalagmites are likely to form from this process as those drops land on a cave floor, since the drops from the ceiling will still contain high mineral content. As long as water keeps flowing, it will continue to precipitate into stalactites and stalagmites.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite & Aragonite
LOCATION
Ighoud, Morocco
SIZE
21.5" long, 16" wide, 4" tall
CATEGORY
ITEM
#41789