mineral
Orange Calcite
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale orange to honey-yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions; Specific gravity: 2.71
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale orange to honey-yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale orange to honey-yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions; Specific gravity: 2.71
Formation & geological history
Formed through sedimentary processes, often as a chemical precipitate from marine environments or in cave systems as speleothems. It can also occur in metamorphic contexts as marble or in hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Used in the manufacture of cement and lime, as an acid neutralizer in the chemical industry, in soil remediation, and widely as a decorative stone or lapidary material for carvings and jewelry.
Geological facts
Calcite exhibits double refraction; if you look through a clear crystal, you will see two images of everything. It is the primary component of most limestones and marbles.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its softness (can be scratched by a copper penny) and its strong effervescent reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid. It is commonly found in limestone quarries worldwide.
