mineral

Yellow Calcite

Calcite (Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3)

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

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

Identified May 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in diverse geological environments (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous). Yellow varieties typically form from groundwater precipitation in caves or veins, where iron impurities color the calcium carbonate.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a metaphysical or ornamental stone, in the manufacture of cement, as a decorative aggregate, or as a collector's mineral specimen.

Geological facts

Yellow Calcite is a common constituent of limestone and marble. It is known for its property of double refraction, where a single beam of light passing through it is split into two.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its characteristic rhombohedral cleavage and its energetic reaction (fizzing) when exposed to cold dilute hydrochloric acid. It is much softer than quartz.