mineral

Yellow Calcite

Calcite (Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey yellow to bright 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: Honey yellow to bright yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified April 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes, particularly by chemical precipitation from calcium-rich solutions or as a secondary mineral in igneous hydrothermal veins. It can occur in a wide variety of geological ages and environments, from marine settings to cave deposits.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a decorative stone, for lapidary work (cabochons, carvings), and as a specimen for mineral collectors. In industrial form, calcite is used in cement, fertilizers, and the chemical industry.

Geological facts

Calcite exhibits double refraction (birefringence), where a single beam of light entering the crystal is split into two. It is also highly reactive to dilute hydrochloric acid, which causes it to effervesce or fizz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinctive rhombohedral cleavage (it breaks into tilted cubes/blocks) and its softness (can be scratched by a copper penny). It is commonly found in limestone-rich areas globally, with notable deposits in Mexico, Brazil, and the USA (Tennessee/Illinois).