Pseudo-Aragonite, Calcareous Sinter

Pseudo-Aragonites also known as honey calcites are referred to as long prismatic pseudomorphoses of calcite after aragonite. The color ranges from colorless, translucent to transparent crystals, through yellowish, yellow, brownish, rusty to dark brown variants, corresponding to the characteristic color of honey. They are often laminated. Dissolving in water honey calcite merges to sinter. Pseudo-Aragonites occur predominantly in the karst areas, creating an impressive decoration of cave walls and its sediments. As unique natural phenomena, these kinds of calcites are protected in caves and their collection is strictly prohibited. However in quarries mining limestone specimens of honey calcites can also be found in karst fissures. Here, the collection is even recommended, otherwise the rare specimens of these unique mineral ends in still hungry jaws of crushers. Our samples come from karst fissures of lime lithographic shales in quarries near Solnhofen in southern Bavaria.

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