mineral

Honey calcite (calcite-rich limestone/marble fragment)

Calcite — CaCO₃; likely coarse crystalline calcitic rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Cream to honey-brown, translucent-to-opaque crystals with vitreous to pearly luster and prominent cleavage. Calcite has Mohs hardness 3, rhombohedral crystal structure, perfect rhombohedral cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.71; it effervesces strongly in dilute hydrochloric acid or vinegar (if sufficiently fresh).

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when calcium-carbonate sediment recrystallized into coarse calcite, possibly as calcitic marble or a calcite vein. The photograph cannot establish geological age; material in Indiana commonly derives from Paleozoic carbonate rocks or transported landscaping stone.

Uses & applications

Used for cement, agricultural lime, aggregate, construction stone, and occasionally as a decorative or collector mineral. Honey-colored transparent pieces may have modest lapidary value.

Geological facts

The visible sugary, interlocking crystals and pale amber coloration are characteristic of calcite rather than quartz. Calcite is one of the most common rock-forming minerals and is strongly birefringent under polarized light.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in limestone quarries, carbonate veins, cavities, and landscaping gravel. Test a fresh surface with dilute acid, check for easy cleavage and softness, and distinguish it from quartz, which is harder (Mohs 7) and lacks calcite’s rhombohedral cleavage. The reported east-central Indiana location makes carbonate-derived material plausible.