
mineral
Golden Calcite
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellow to golden honey. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Hexagonal-rhombohedral. Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions. Specific Gravity: 2.71.
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale yellow to golden honey
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
Identified More mineral →
Explore Golden Calcite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellow to golden honey. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Hexagonal-rhombohedral. Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions. Specific Gravity: 2.71.
Formation & geological history
Formed through sedimentary processes, often precipitated from marine environments or hydrothermal veins. It can be found in cave formations, limestone, and marble deposits spanning many geological periods.
Uses & applications
Used primarily by collectors and in metaphysical practices. Industrial calcite is used in construction, agriculture, and as a flux in glass manufacturing. Higher quality specimens are sometimes used for carvings.
Geological facts
Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth and is the primary constituent of limestone and marble. Honey or golden calcite is often noted for its rhombohedral cleavage, which allows it to break into perfect diamond-like shapes.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 3-way rhombohedral cleavage and its reaction (effervescence) to dilute hydrochloric acid. It is much softer than quartz and can be easily scratched with a copper coin.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Nephrite Jade
Nephrite
Mineral/Rock