sedimentary
Limestone (with Calcite Veining)
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray to dark charcoal with white/cream veins; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Finely crystalline to massive; Cleavage: None (conchoidal to irregular fracture).
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray to dark charcoal with white/cream veins
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray to dark charcoal with white/cream veins; Luster: Dull to earthy; Structure: Finely crystalline to massive; Cleavage: None (conchoidal to irregular fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris in marine environments. The visible white lines are secondary calcite veins formed by mineral-rich water filling cracks in the rock.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction for crushed stone, road base, and the manufacturing of cement/lime. High-purity specimens are used in the chemical industry.
Geological facts
Limestone makes up about 10% of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. It often contains microfossils that are not visible to the naked eye.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its gray color, fine-grained texture, and reaction (fizzing) to a 10% hydrochloric acid solution. Common in ancient seabed regions.
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