While calcite forms huge lumpy blocks, aragonite crystals are columnar or fibrous.
These structures are very delicate and can break at the slightest touch.
But instead of growing vertically down, the stalactite starts to wander, twisting and turning as it grows.
What causes the stalactite to break form is still a mystery, although there are a few theories.
Capillary forces might be responsible for drawing water along paths against gravity.
Or the wind might blow the stalactites to different directions.
But these theories are problematic.
The Ochtinska Aragonite Cave was discovered accidentally in 1954.
While looking for iron ore, explorers dug through the ground and stumbled upon the cave.
Prior to its discovery, the cave had no natural entrances.
Some of the oldest aragonite crystals at Ochtinska are 138,000 years old.
Photo credit:Jean-Marie Prival/Flickr
Photo credit:Peter Fenda/Flickr
Photo credit:Erwin/Flickr
Sources:www.slovakia.com/www.go2slovakia.eu/Wondermondo/Wikipedia
