mineral
Raw Calcite
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Orange to peach; Luster: Vitreous to resinous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: Perfect in three directions forming rhombohedrons; Specific Gravity: 2.71
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Orange to peach
- Luster
- Vitreous to resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Orange to peach; Luster: Vitreous to resinous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: Perfect in three directions forming rhombohedrons; Specific Gravity: 2.71
Formation & geological history
Forms in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock environments, predominantly through the precipitation of calcium carbonate from marine waters or hydrothermal solutions.
Uses & applications
Used in construction materials (cement and lime), agriculture, chemical industry, and as mineral specimens for collectors.
Geological facts
Calcite exhibits strong double refraction (birefringence), meaning light passing through it is split into two rays, creating a double-image effect.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its soft nature (can be scratched easily with a penny or knife) and its strong fizzing reaction when exposed to weak hydrochloric acid. Found worldwide, with major deposits in Mexico, the USA, and Iceland.
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