mineral

Orange Calcite

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale orange to honey-yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions; Specific gravity: 2.71

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale orange to honey-yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes, often as a chemical precipitate from marine environments or in cave systems as speleothems. It can also occur in metamorphic contexts as marble or in hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of cement and lime, as an acid neutralizer in the chemical industry, in soil remediation, and widely as a decorative stone or lapidary material for carvings and jewelry.

Geological facts

Calcite exhibits double refraction; if you look through a clear crystal, you will see two images of everything. It is the primary component of most limestones and marbles.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its softness (can be scratched by a copper penny) and its strong effervescent reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid. It is commonly found in limestone quarries worldwide.