mineral

Honey Calcite

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale (can be scratched by a copper coin or knife). Color: Golden yellow to amber. Luster: Vitreous to resinous. Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions. Specific Gravity: 2.71.

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale (can be scratched by a copper coin or knife)
Color: Golden yellow to amber
Luster: Vitreous to resinous

Identified March 13, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes such as the precipitation of calcium-rich groundwater or within hydrothermal veins. It can be found in a wide variety of geological ages, often in limestone or marble deposits.

Uses & applications

Primary use is for mineral collecting, lapidary work (cabochons), and metaphysical purposes. Industrial calcite is used in cement, antacids, and as a soil conditioner, though large crystals are kept for aesthetic value.

Geological facts

Calcite is famous for its optical property called double refraction; if you look through a clear piece, images appear doubled. It also reacts vigorously with dilute hydrochloric acid, producing effervescence (fizzing).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its rhombohedral cleavage (breaks into slanted cubes) and its softness. It is commonly found in Mexico, Brazil, and the USA. Collectors can use a 'fizz test' with vinegar to confirm it is a carbonate.