mineral

Tumbled orange calcite

Calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically honey-orange to amber, translucent, with vitreous to pearly luster and prominent rhombohedral cleavage; Mohs hardness 3 and specific gravity about 2.71. The rounded shape is human-tumbled and the whitish veining/cloudiness is characteristic of calcite.

Identified September 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in limestone, marble, hydrothermal veins, and cave deposits through precipitation from calcium-rich fluids; calcite is common from Paleozoic to modern geological settings. Orange color commonly results from iron or other trace impurities.

Uses & applications

Used for cement, lime, aggregate, soil treatment, and chemical manufacture; attractive translucent pieces are sold as inexpensive decorative or metaphysical stones.

Geological facts

Calcite effervesces strongly with dilute hydrochloric acid and shows birefringence, producing doubled images through clear fragments. It is much softer than quartz and can be scratched by a steel knife.

Field identification & locations

Common localities include Mexico, the United States, Iceland, Brazil, and China; identify it by low hardness, rhombohedral cleavage, and acid reaction. The image alone cannot exclude similarly colored aragonite or orange glass.