mineral

Orange Calcite

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Variable (this specimen is pale orange/honey); Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: Variable (this specimen is pale orange/honey)
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes, such as the precipitation of calcium-rich water in caves or marine environments, or as a secondary mineral in igneous hydrothermal veins. It can be found in geological formations ranging from the Precambrian to Holocene.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of cement and mortar, as a soil conditioner in agriculture, as a flux in glass making, and as a decorative stone in jewelry, carvings, and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth and is the primary constituent of limestone and marble. Orange calcite specifically gets its color from tiny inclusions of hematite or iron oxide. It has the unusual property of double refraction (birefringence), where light passing through it splits into two rays.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its 3-way rhombohedral cleavage and its high reactivity to cold dilute hydrochloric acid (it will fizz). It can be easily scratched with a copper penny or steel knife. Common locations include Mexico, Brazil, and the USA (Utah).