Dolomite is named in honor of the French chemist Deodat de Dolomieu. It is a common sedimentary mineral. Like all carbonates, it commonly forms as rhombehedrons. While dolomite is found in many ancient rocks, it does not form as a sedimentary mineral today. Why? Geologists are still working on that, but believe it may form by alteration of another common carbonate mineral, calcite, exchanging Ca atoms for Mg atoms.
| CaMg(CO3)2 |
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| Carbonate |
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| Hexagonal |
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| -3 |
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| 3.5-4 |
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| 2.85 |
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| {10-11} perfect |
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| Conchoidal |
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| Colorless, white, gray, pink, green, brown, black |
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| White |
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| Vitreous, pearly |
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| Transparent/translucent |
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| Blocky |
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| Effervesces in hot HCl |
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| Notable Localities: |
Tyrol, Switzerland; Italy; Guanajuato, Mexico; Joplin, Missouri |
| Uses: |
Construction, ornamental stone |
Specimens:
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