mineral

Orange Calcite

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale to deep orange/honey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale to deep orange/honey
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale to deep orange/honey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes, often precipitated from marine environments or hydrothermal veins. It occurs in a wide range of geological ages from Precambrian to Recent.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative carvings, lapidary purposes, and as a collector's mineral. Industrially, calcite is used in lime, cement, and as a soil conditioner.

Geological facts

Calcite is famous for its 'double refraction' property, where light passing through a clear specimen splits into two rays. Orange calcite specifically gets its color from tiny inclusions of hematite or iron oxides.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its softness (it can be scratched by a copper coin) and its effervescence (bubbling) when in contact with weak hydrochloric acid. Found globally with major deposits in Mexico, Brazil, and the USA.