mineral

White Calcite (Dogtooth Spar or Crystalline Calcite)

Calcite (Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale. Color: White to colorless, often translucent. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral. Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions. Specific Gravity: 2.71.

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: White to colorless, often translucent
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified June 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through precipitation from calcium-rich hydrothermal solutions or within sedimentary environments like limestone caves and marine deposits. It can occur across almost any geological age.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacturing of cement and mortar, as a soil conditioner in agriculture, for optical purposes in high-grade clear forms (Iceland Spar), and as a popular collector's mineral specimen.

Geological facts

Calcite is the most common form of calcium carbonate and is known for its double refraction property. It is the primary component of limestone and marble.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its rhombohedral cleavage and its rapid effervescence (bubbling) when a drop of cold dilute hydrochloric acid or strong vinegar is applied. It can be scratched easily by a copper penny or steel knife.

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