Calcite
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30108329" class="extiw" title="d:Q30108329"><span title="German photographer">Olaf Kosinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)
Mineral NameCalcite
Chemical FormulaCaCO₃
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect rhombohedral in three directions
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.71
Colorsyellow, orange, colorless, white, pink, brown, green, blue, black
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityWorldwide (e.g., Mexico, USA, various European countries)
Mineral GroupCarbonates
Usesindustrial, construction, optical, collector, decorative
Associated Mineralsquartz, fluorite, barite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite
Raritycommon
Description
This specimen features a cluster of large, translucent, yellow-orange calcite crystals, exhibiting characteristic rhombohedral or scalenohedral forms.
Geological Context
Calcite is a ubiquitous mineral, forming in diverse geological settings from sedimentary environments as limestone and marble, to hydrothermal veins, and as a secondary mineral in various rock types. It is a primary component of many cave formations.
