The name calcite comes from the Latin word calyx for burnt lime. Calcite is one of the most common minerals in the world. It forms all over the world in a variety of environments. Some of these are calcite as the major component of sedimentary rocks such as limestone and chalk, cave formations such as stalactites and stalagmites (made as water enriched in carbonate slowly evaporate in caves leaving behind spectacular mineral formations), rare igneous rocks such as carbonatite or sand crystals which are calcite crystals enclosing quartz sand.
| CaCO3 |
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| Carbonate |
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| Hexagonal |
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| -3 2/m |
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| 2.5-3 |
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| 2.71 |
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| {10-11} perfect |
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| Conchoidal |
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| White, colorless or various tints |
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| White |
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| Vitreous, earthy |
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| Transparent/translucent/opaque |
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| Stalactitic, massive |
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| Twinning is common, fluorescent |
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| Notable Localities: |
Harz Mountains, Germany; Cumbria, England; Iceland; Mexico; Joplin, Missouri; Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan |
| Uses: |
Construction (cement, mortar, lime), steel and glass industries, ornamental stone, optical instruments, mineral specimens |
| Fluorite, quartz, barite, sphalerite, galena, copper, emerald, apatite |
Specimens:
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