mineral

Yellow Calcite

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale (can be scratched by a copper coin); Color: Honey-yellow to amber-orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in three directions; Specific Gravity: 2.71

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale (can be scratched by a copper coin)
Color: Honey-yellow to amber-orange
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through sedimentary processes, primarily from the chemical precipitation of calcium-rich waters or through organogenic activity in marine environments. It is often found in limestone caves, hydrothermal veins, and hot spring deposits.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as decorative carvings, in polished tumbled stones for metaphysical collecting, and as a source for lime in the production of cement and fertilizer.

Geological facts

Yellow calcite is known for its extreme birefringence (double refraction), where light splits as it passes through the crystal, making an image viewed through it appear doubled. It is one of the most common minerals on Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its characteristic rhombohedral cleavage (blocks like tilted cubes) and its rapid effervescence (fizzing) when a drop of weak acid (like vinegar) is applied. Commonly found in Mexico, Brazil, and the USA.