How do I identify Calcite?

Calcite can be identified by its hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, Colorless color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Calcite?

Calcite typically appears in Colorless, white, gray, yellow, green, blue, red, brown, black. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

Calcite has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Calcite

Easy to obtain

What is Calcite?

Calcite is a common carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. It is a major constituent of limestone and marble. Calcite exhibits a wide variety of crystal habits and colors. It is known for its perfect rhombohedral cleavage and its strong birefringence, which causes double refraction. Calcite is also known to react with acids, producing carbon dioxide gas.

Uses & Applications

Calcite has numerous industrial applications including cement production, steel manufacturing, and as a flux in metallurgy. It is used in paper, paint, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Optical-grade calcite is used in polarizing microscopes.

Healing Properties

Calcite is believed to amplify energy and promote mental clarity and learning. Different colored calcites are thought to have specific properties - orange for creativity, green for emotional balance, and clear for spiritual growth.

Optical Properties

Refractive Index: 1.486 to 1.658
Birefringence: 0.172 to 0.174
Pleochroism: None
Optical Character: Uniaxial (-)
Dispersion: Low

Discover Values

Rarity

2.0out of 5.0

40%

Popularity

4.8out of 5.0

96%

Excellent

Beauty

3.8out of 5.0

76%

Cultural Value

4.2out of 5.0

84%

Collection Value

3.5out of 5.0

70%

Perfect for general collecting and appreciation

This stone excels in popularity.

Calcite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Calcite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Calcite Localities Map

See where Calcite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

The Meaning

Ancient civilizations used calcite in construction and art. The Romans used it extensively in buildings and sculptures. It has been associated with mental clarity, learning, and memory enhancement throughout history.

Geochemistry

Calcite forms through various processes including precipitation from calcium-rich solutions, biomineralization by marine organisms, and metamorphism of limestone. It is the primary component of limestone and marble.