mineral

Orange Calcite

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Orange, honey, yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: Orange, honey, yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Orange, honey, yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Formation & geological history

Forms through chemical precipitation in sedimentary environments or hydrothermal veins. It is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks like limestone and may be found in metamorphic marble.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a decorative stone, in lapidary work for carvings or polished eggs/spheres, and in the metaphysical/collecting community. Industrially, calcite is used in cement and agriculture.

Geological facts

Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth. It exhibits double refraction (birefringence), where light passing through a clear crystal is split into two rays. It is also the primary component of stalactites and stalagmites.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its 3-way rhombohedral cleavage and its strong effervescent reaction when exposed to dilute hydrochloric acid. It is significantly softer than quartz.