mineral

Tumbled orange calcite

Calcite, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically honey-orange to brown, translucent, and vitreous to waxy with visible cloudy banding or cleavage remnants. Mohs hardness 3; rhombohedral crystal structure, perfect rhombohedral cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.71.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

Explore Tumbled orange calcite in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms through precipitation in limestone, hydrothermal veins, and cave deposits; orange color commonly comes from iron impurities. Calcite occurs from Precambrian to modern formations, but the specimen’s exact age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used for cement, lime, construction aggregate, and chemical processing; attractive translucent pieces are sold as inexpensive lapidary and mineral specimens.

Geological facts

Calcite effervesces vigorously with dilute hydrochloric acid and shows strong birefringence, producing a doubled image through clear pieces. Orange calcite is often polished or tumbled for decorative use.

Field identification & locations

Likely calcite if it is noticeably softer than glass and scratches easily with a steel blade, while fizzing in weak acid; color alone is not diagnostic. Common sources include Mexico, Brazil, the United States, and Europe.