Orange Calcite
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/14730981@N08">James Petts</a> from London, England (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mineral NameOrange Calcite
Chemical FormulaCaCO3
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect rhombohedral in three directions
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.71
Colorsorange, yellow, white
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityWidespread globally
Mineral GroupCarbonates
Usesindustrial, decorative, collector, optical
Associated Mineralsquartz, fluorite, barite, pyrite, galena
Raritycommon
Description
A translucent, rough-hewn chunk of orange calcite, exhibiting a warm, glowing orange color when backlit, with some lighter, more opaque areas on its surface.
Geological Context
Calcite is a common rock-forming mineral found in sedimentary rocks (limestone, marble), metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal veins. It precipitates from calcium-rich waters and is a primary component of many biological shells and skeletons.
