mineral

Orange Calcite Sphere

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-orange to bright orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: Honey-orange to bright orange
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-orange to bright orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes including chemical precipitation from calcium-rich solutions. It occurs in various geological environments from cave deposits to hydrothermal veins. Most commercial orange calcite is aged between several million to dozens of million years.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative purposes, ornamental carvings, lapidary spheres, and in the metaphysical/spiritual community. High-purity calcite is also used in the chemical and construction industries.

Geological facts

Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth, but the vibrant orange variety gets its color from tiny inclusions of hematite or light-scattering iron oxides. It exhibits double refraction when transparent.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its 3-way rhombohedral cleavage and its vigorous reaction (effervescence) to dilute hydrochloric acid. It is much softer than quartz, which can be verified with a simple scratch test using a copper penny or steel blade.