Calcite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Dragon Minerals
About Calcite
Formula:
CaCO3
Colour:
White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Brown, Gray etc.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Pearly
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.7102
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Ancient name. Named as a mineral by Gaius Plinius Secundus (Pliny the elder) in 79 from Calx, Latin for Lime.
Polymorph of:
Calcite Group. Calcite-Rhodochrosite Series.
A very common and widespread mineral with highly variable forms and colours. Calcite is best recognized by its relatively low Mohs hardness (3) and its high reactivity with even weak acids, such as vinegar, plus its prominent rhombohedral cleavage in most varieties.
NOTE on the unit cell and the Miller indices: Before the advent of X-ray crystallography, the axial ratios were determined by measuring the interfacial angles and looking for the smallest numbers that fitted, assuming that the largest faces were the lowest order. Remarkably the classical crystallographers usually got it right, confirmed by indexing the X-ray diffraction patterns. However, for calcite and the calcite group they got it wrong. The old morphological calcite cell had c/a = 0.8543. The structural cell has c four times as large as would have been calculated for the morphological cell, now c/a = 3.419 (Maslen et al. 1993). Most of the Miller indices here are from ancient times and the c value should, therefore, be multiplied by 4. E.g. the rhombohedral cleavage is given as "Perfect on {1011}" in the old setting and should be "Perfect on {1014}" in the correct structural setting.
An important biomineral. As such, it forms from metastable vaterite via dissolution-reprecipitation process, preceded by vaterite formation via dissolution of its precursor, that is Unnamed (Amorphous Calcium Carbonate) (Bots et al., 2012; Sugiura et al., 2016). Calcite biomineralization may be induced by bacteria. A very recent review on fungal calcite biomineralization is given by Bindschedler et al. (2016). Vaterite/calcite precipitates are known in the Cladosporium fungus, too (Ye et al., 2023).
Aquilano et al. (2023) suggest a re-examination of the polymorphic calcite-aragonite system due to (overlooked) homo-epitaxy.
A very common and widespread mineral with highly variable forms and colours. Calcite is best recognized by its relatively low Mohs hardness (3) and its high reactivity with even weak acids, such as vinegar, plus its prominent rhombohedral cleavage in most varieties.
NOTE on the unit cell and the Miller indices: Before the advent of X-ray crystallography, the axial ratios were determined by measuring the interfacial angles and looking for the smallest numbers that fitted, assuming that the largest faces were the lowest order. Remarkably the classical crystallographers usually got it right, confirmed by indexing the X-ray diffraction patterns. However, for calcite and the calcite group they got it wrong. The old morphological calcite cell had c/a = 0.8543. The structural cell has c four times as large as would have been calculated for the morphological cell, now c/a = 3.419 (Maslen et al. 1993). Most of the Miller indices here are from ancient times and the c value should, therefore, be multiplied by 4. E.g. the rhombohedral cleavage is given as "Perfect on {1011}" in the old setting and should be "Perfect on {1014}" in the correct structural setting.
An important biomineral. As such, it forms from metastable vaterite via dissolution-reprecipitation process, preceded by vaterite formation via dissolution of its precursor, that is Unnamed (Amorphous Calcium Carbonate) (Bots et al., 2012; Sugiura et al., 2016). Calcite biomineralization may be induced by bacteria. A very recent review on fungal calcite biomineralization is given by Bindschedler et al. (2016). Vaterite/calcite precipitates are known in the Cladosporium fungus, too (Ye et al., 2023).
Aquilano et al. (2023) suggest a re-examination of the polymorphic calcite-aragonite system due to (overlooked) homo-epitaxy.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Calcite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
859
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:859:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f04bfe4a-f64d-45bf-b090-a5e88525ece4
IMA Classification of Calcite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca(CO3)
Classification of Calcite
5.AB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
Dana 7th ed.:
14.1.1.1
14.1.1.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.4.1
11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Cal | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Cal | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Cal | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Cal | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Cal | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Cal | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Calcite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage and {0001}. Can be dull or earthy in chalk variety.
Colour:
White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Brown, Gray etc.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Mohs hardness reference species
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {1011}.
Perfect on {1011}.
Parting:
Readily along twin lamellae {0112} and {0001}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.7102(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.711 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Calcite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.658 nε = 1.486
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.172
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Optical Extinction:
Symmetrical to cleavage traces.
Chemistry of Calcite
Mindat Formula:
CaCO3
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Common Impurities:
Mn,Fe,Zn,Co,Ba,Sr,Pb,Mg,Cu,Al,Ni,V,Cr,Mo
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
1 | |
---|---|
SiO2 | 0.86 % |
Fe2O3 | 0.49 % |
Al2O3 | 0.14 % |
MnO | 3.95 % |
CaO | 50.68 % |
MgO | 0.61 % |
CO2 | 41.45 % |
H2O | 0.11 % |
Insolubles | 1.30 % |
Total: | 99.59 % |
Sample references:
ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Quenast, Rebecq, Walloon Brabant, Wallonia, Belgium |
Crystallography of Calcite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Setting:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.9896(2) Å, c = 17.061(11) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.419
Unit Cell V:
367.85 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Over 800 different forms have been described. Most commonly as acute rhombohedrons or prismatic with scalenohedral terminations, or combinations of the two.
Twinning:
At least four twin laws have been described, the most common being when the twin plane and the composition plane are {0112}. Also common with twinning on {0001} with {0001} as the compositional surface, producing re-entrant angles. Uncommon with {1011} or {0221} as twin planes, producing somewhat heart-shaped crystals ("butterfly" twins).
Crystallographic forms of Calcite
Crystal Atlas:
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000098 | Calcite | Graf D L (1961) Crystallographic tables for the rhombohedral carbonates American Mineralogist 46 1283-1316 | 1961 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000585 | Calcite | Althoff P L (1977) Structural refinements of dolomite and a magnesian calcite and implications for dolomite formation in the marine environment Mg-calcite American Mineralogist 62 772-783 | 1977 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000984 | Calcite | Markgraf S A, Reeder R J (1985) High-temperature structure refinements of calcite and magnesite American Mineralogist 70 590-600 | 1985 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000985 | Calcite | Markgraf S A, Reeder R J (1985) High-temperature structure refinements of calcite and magnesite American Mineralogist 70 590-600 | 1985 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000986 | Calcite | Markgraf S A, Reeder R J (1985) High-temperature structure refinements of calcite and magnesite American Mineralogist 70 590-600 | 1985 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000987 | Calcite | Markgraf S A, Reeder R J (1985) High-temperature structure refinements of calcite and magnesite American Mineralogist 70 590-600 | 1985 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000988 | Calcite | Markgraf S A, Reeder R J (1985) High-temperature structure refinements of calcite and magnesite American Mineralogist 70 590-600 | 1985 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000989 | Calcite | Markgraf S A, Reeder R J (1985) High-temperature structure refinements of calcite and magnesite American Mineralogist 70 590-600 | 1985 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001327 | Calcite | Paquette J, Reeder R J (1990) Single-crystal X-ray structure refinements of two biogenic magnesian calcite crystals sample LS American Mineralogist 75 1151-1158 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
0001328 | Calcite | Paquette J, Reeder R J (1990) Single-crystal X-ray structure refinements of two biogenic magnesian calcite crystals sample LB American Mineralogist 75 1151-1158 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
0017849 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017850 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017851 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017852 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017853 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017854 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017855 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017856 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017857 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017858 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017859 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017860 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017861 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017862 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017863 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017864 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017865 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017866 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017867 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017868 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0017869 | Calcite | Antao S M, Hassan I (2010) Temperature dependence of the structural parameters in the transformation of aragonite to calcite, as determined from in situ synchrotron powder X-ray-diffraction data The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1225-1236 | 2010 | Cuenca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0008879 | Calcite | Prencipe M, Pascale F, Zicovich-Wilson C M, Saunders V R, Orlando R, Dovesi R (2004) The vibrational spectrum of calcite (CaCO3): an ab initio quantum-mechanical calculation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 559-564 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
0009873 | Calcite | Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R (1993) X-ray study of the electron density in calcite, CaCO3 Acta Crystallographica B49 636-641 | 1993 | 0 | 293 | ||
0009890 | Calcite | Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R, Ishizawa N (1995) Electron density and optical anisotropy in rhombohedral carbonates. III. Synchrotron X-ray studies of CaCO3, MgCO3 and MnCO3 Acta Crystallographica B51 929-939 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
0020835 | Calcite | Effenberger H, Mereiter K, Zemann J (1981) Crystal structure refinements of magnesite, calcite, rhodochrosite, siderite, smithsonite, and dolomite, with discussion of some aspects of the stereochemistry of calcite type carbonates Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 156 233-243 | 1981 | Iceland | 0 | 293 | |
0017889 | Calcite | Wyckoff R (1920) The Crystal Structures of some Carbonates of the Calcite Group _cod_database_code 1010962 American Journal of Science 50 317-360 | 1920 | 0 | 293 | ||
0012867 | Calcite | Sitepu H, O'Connor B H, Li D (2005) Comparative evaluation of the March and generalized spherical harmonic preferred orientation models using X-ray diffraction data for molybdite and calcite powders Journal of Applied Crystallography 38 158-167 | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0012868 | Calcite | Sitepu H, O'Connor B H, Li D (2005) Comparative evaluation of the March and generalized spherical harmonic preferred orientation models using X-ray diffraction data for molybdite and calcite powders Journal of Applied Crystallography 38 158-167 | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0017650 | Calcite | Elliott N (1937) A Redetermination of the Carbon - Oxygen Distance in Calcite and the Nitrogen - Oxygen Distance in Sodium Nitrate _cod_database_code 1010928 Journal of the American Chemical Society 59 1380-1382 | 1937 | 0 | 293 | ||
0018895 | Calcite | Sitepu H (2009) Texture and structural refinement using neutron diffraction data from molybdite (MoO3) and calcite (CaCO3) powders and a Ni-rich Ni50.7Ti49.30 alloy Powder Diffraction 24 315-326 | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0018896 | Calcite | Sitepu H (2009) Texture and structural refinement using neutron diffraction data from molybdite (MoO3) and calcite (CaCO3) powders and a Ni-rich Ni50.7Ti49.30 alloy Powder Diffraction 24 315-326 | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Calcite
Epitaxy Comments:
Often noted overgrowing crystals of other members of the calcite group and of dolomite with the crystal axes oriented in parallel position. Calcite is similarly noted overgrown by these species. Noted in oriented position on quartz, with calcite {0112} parallel to quartz {1011}
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.86 Å | (12) |
3.035 Å | (100) |
2.845 Å | (3) |
2.495 Å | (14) |
2.285 Å | (18) |
2.095 Å | (18) |
1.927 Å | (5) |
1.913 Å | (17) |
1.875 Å | (17) |
1.604 Å | (10) |
Comments:
ICDD 5-586 (synthetic), ICDD 24-27, ICDD 2-714 (manganoan)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Geological Setting:
Found in most geologic settings and as a later forming replacement mineral in most other environments in one form or another, it is most common as massive material in limestones and marbles. It forms as chemical sedimentary deposits as limestone, can be regionally or contact metamorphosed into marbles and rarely forms igneous rocks (carbonatites). Also is a common gangue mineral in hydrothermal deposits.
Synonyms of Calcite
Other Language Names for Calcite
Anglo-Saxon:Calcite
Basque:Kaltzita
Belarusian:Кальцый
Bosnian:Kalcit
Bulgarian:Калцит
Croatian:Kalcit
Czech:Kalcit
Danish:Kalk
Dutch:Calciet
Esperanto:Kalcito
Estonian:Kaltsiit
Farsi/Persian:کلسیت
Finnish:Kalsiitti
French:Chaux carbonatée (in part)
Spath Calcaire
Spath Calcaire
Greek:Χάλζ
Hebrew:קלציט
Hungarian:Kalcit
Japanese:方解石
Latvian:Kalcīts
Lithuanian:Kalcitas
Norwegian:Kalk
Polish:Kalcyt
Portuguese:Calcite
Romanian:Calcit
Russian:Кальцит
Serbian:Калцит
Simplified Chinese:方解石
Slovak:Kalcit
Spanish:Caliza
Espato caliza
Espato caliza
Swedish:Kalkspat
Bladspat
Spatig Kalksten
Bladspat
Spatig Kalksten
Tamil:கால்சைட்
Turkish:Kalsit
Ukrainian:Кальцит
Vietnamese:Canxit
Varieties of Calcite
Angels Wing Calcite | A variety of calcite determined by the crystal shape and color, i.e., large, very thin, tabular white crystals, purportedly resembling angels' wings. The crystals are usually thicker at the base and colourless within the interior of the thicker areas. Com... |
Argentine | A lamellar variety of calcite with a silvery lustre. |
Baricalcite | Name for a barian variety of Calcite. |
Barleycorn | A variety of calcite consisting of pseudomorphs, possibly of gaylussite. |
Bruyerite | A black concretionary calcite. |
Calcite Satin Spar | The original name Satin Spar referred to a variety of Calcite. Currently 'Satin Spar' is often used to refer to a variety of Gypsum (See Satin Spar Gypsum, so to avoid confusion the original Calcite variety material is listed on this website as Satin Spar... |
Capreite | |
Cobalt-bearing Calcite | A more or less pink variety of calcite containing Co2+ replacing Ca. Dark pink varieties are easily confused with spherocobaltite (CoCO3), the cobalt endmember of the calcite group. Crusts and globular aggregates may be confused with cobalt-bearing arago... |
Crazy Calcite | A locally applied name in the Franklin, NJ, area for massive calcite that fluoresces two shades and intensities of red under SW UV. The disparity in fluorescence is due to isolated blebs of calcite and a more dolomitic material, both bearing manganese, bu... |
Dog-tooth Spar | A variety of calcite consisting of scalenohedral crystals resembling a dog's canine teeth. |
Dolomitic Calcite | A variety of calcite containing small amounts of Mg in substitution for Ca (see also Mg-rich calcite). Maximum solubility of Mg in calcite appears to be small. The so-called magnesian limestones and magnesian marbles are mechanical mixtures of calcite and... |
Fetid Calcite | A variety of calcite that emits an offensive odor when dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid. The odor is due to trace sulfides and other impurities. Also called swinestone |
Fibrous calcite | Translucent calcite composed of fibrous crystals, which, like fibrous gypsum, with which it is often confused, causes a silky sheen. When cut cabochon, it produces a girasol or chatoyant effect, but not a true cat's-eye. Also like fibrous gypsum, it is ca... |
Gennoishi | Japanese name for pseudomorphs of calcite after ikaite. |
Glendonite | Name for a calcite pseudomorph after ikaite. Originally reported from Glendon, NSW, Australia. |
Hematoconite | A blood-red calcite coloured by inclusions of Hematite |
Hislopite | |
Honey calcite | Honey-coloured variety of calcite. Often coarsely crystalline and widespread in limestone areas. However, well-formed crystals can also be honey-coloured. |
Iceland Spar | An optically clear form of calcite, originally from Iceland, but may occur anywhere. Originally reported from Helgustadir Mine, Eskifjord, Iceland. |
Iron-bearing Calcite | |
Kanonenspat | Morphological variety showing a short prismatic habit with the hexagonal prism and either the basal pinacoid or flat rhombohedral faces. Literally "cannon spar". |
Kolloid-calcite | A collodial variety of Calcite |
Lead-bearing Calcite | A lead-bearing variety of calcite. Species from Polish Cu-bearing Zechstein deposits contains up to 4.60 wt.% PbO (Piestrzyński et al., 1996). |
Limestone Onyx | A variety of banded calcite of stalagmitic origin showing patterns similar to onyx. Often cut and used as a decorative stone. Note: some sources shorten the name to 'onyx'. This is incorrect and confusing and should not be encouraged. True onyx is quart... |
Lublinite | An efflorescent form of calcite - soft, with a fibrous consistence, and usually moist. Also known by the German term 'Bergmilch' (Rock Milk). In caves, the term moonmilk is often used. |
Lvwen Stone | “Lvwen stone” is a yellow-green carbonate jade gemstone. It is a type of carbonate jade, otherwise known as “Afghanistan Jade” (a generic term for carbonate jade - although in mindat Afganistan is a serpentinite) in China with a cat’s-eye effec... |
Manganese-bearing Calcite | A calcite rich in manganese. Compare also kutnohorite (with ordered Ca/Mn and a Ca:Mn ratio of ideally 1:1). Originally reported from Banská Štiavnica (Selmecbánya; Schemnitz), Banská Štiavnica Mining District, Štiavnica Mts, Banská Bystrica Regio... |
Mexican Jade | An artificially dyed green calcite. |
Mg-rich Calcite | A magnesium-rich variety of calcite. Not to be confused with Magnesio-Calcite (Dolomite). |
Nailhead Spar | A variety of calcite determined by a flat pyramidal termination of the prismatic crystals, resembling a nailhead. |
Nickel-bearing Calcite | |
Papierspat | Calcite as extremely thin tabular crystals, hence the name Papierspat, German for "paper spar". |
Patagosite | |
Poker Chip Calcite | A variety of calcite determined by the crystal shape, i.e., flat rhomboids resembling a poker chip. The individual crystals are often "stacked" upon each other, somewhat resembling a stack of poker chips as well. Common habit for calcite from Charcas, Mex... |
Prasochrome | A variety of Calcite rich in chromium oxide, found as an alteration product coating Chromite. |
Prunnerite | A violet calcite resembling chalcedony |
Pseudogaylussite | Calcite pseudomorphs after gaylussite. |
Roepperite (of Kenngott) | |
Sand-Calcite | A variety of calcite with the crystals grown with sand inclusions. |
Slate Spar | A lamellar variety of calcite. |
Stinkkalk | A variety of calcite distinguished by a foul odor emitted upon fracturing by inclusions of H2S. |
Strontium-rich Calcite | A strontian calcite. |
Tartuffite | A fibrous variety of calcite which, when struck, emits an odour like that of truffles. |
Usolite | A casual name given to a small number of calcite crystals showing second generations rhombs growing up the edges and terminating a first generation scalenohedron. |
Zinc-bearing Calcite | A zinc-rich variety of Calcite |
Relationship of Calcite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Gaspéite | NiCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
12,478 photos of Calcite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
8,625 photos of Calcite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
7,170 photos of Calcite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
4,654 photos of Calcite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
4,270 photos of Calcite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
3,624 photos of Calcite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
3,180 photos of Calcite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
2,827 photos of Calcite associated with Galena | PbS |
2,502 photos of Calcite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
2,305 photos of Calcite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
5.AB.05 va | Parakutnohorite | |
5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Fluorescence of Calcite
May be fluorescent under LW UV, mid-range UV or SW UV as well as under X-rays, cathode rays and even sunlight, in a number of colors and shades, commonly an intense red under SW with Mn as an activator (such as at Franklin, New Jersey, USA, and Långban in Sweden.
Other Information
Notes:
Profuse generation of carbon dioxide gas when in contact with acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Mined extensively for a wide variety of uses ranging from lime (cement) to limestone and marble building stones and aggregates, agricultural supplements and optical calcite.
Calcite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
- Igneous rock
- Sedimentary rock and sediment
- Sediment
- Sedimentary rock
- Clastic sedimentary rock
- Biochemical and chemical sedimentary rock
- Carbonate rock
- Limestone
- Ashford Black Marble
- Lime-mudstone
- Lime-wackestone
- Lime-packstone
- Lime-grainstone
- Lime-boundstone
- Lime-framestone
- Lime-pseudosparstone
- Lime-sparstone
- Lime-microsparstone
- Lime-microstone
- Ooid-limestone
- Pisoid-limestone
- Oncoid-limestone
- Microoncoid-limestone
- Peloid-limestone
- Shell-limestone
- Crinoid-limestone
- Tufa
- Chalk
- Mud-grade limestone
- Sand-grade limestone
- Gravel-grade limestone
- Kerogenic limestone
- Dolostone
- Magnesite-stone
- Pseudosparstone
- Sparstone
- Microsparstone
- Microstone
- Limestone
- Ironstone
- Carbonate rock
- Metamorphic rock
Internet Links for Calcite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-859.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Calcite
Reference List:
forum.amiminerals.it (n.d.) http://forum.amiminerals.it/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18832&sid=e8aae49190826b910b22d665e6ff58fa
Effenberger, H., Mereiter, Κ., Zemann, J. (1981) Crystal structure refinements of magnesite, calcite, rhodochrosite, siderite, smithonite [sic], and dolomite, with discussion of some aspects of the stereochemistry of calcite type carbonates. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 156 (1-4) 233 doi:10.1524/zkri.1981.156.14.233
Smyth, Joseph R., Ahrens, Thomas J. (1997) The crystal structure of calcite III. Geophysical Research Letters, 24 (13) 1595-1598 doi:10.1029/97gl01603
Skalwold, E.A., Bassett, W.A. (2015) Double trouble: navigating birefringence, Mineralogical Society of America.
Alves, Julliana F., Edwards, Howell G. M., Korsakov, Andrey, Oliveira, Luiz Fernando C. (2023) Revisiting the Raman Spectra of Carbonate Minerals. Minerals, 13 (11) 1358 doi:10.3390/min13111358
Significant localities for Calcite
Showing 108 significant localities out of 34,762 recorded on mindat.org.
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Raúl Tauber Larry´s collection. +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Worner et al. (et al) |
Austria | |
| H. Meixner: Der Karinthin 6: 108-120 (1949) +1 other reference |
Niedermayr et al. (1995) | |
Niedermayr et al. (1995) | |
Belgium | |
| Mikael Gonzales collection |
| Hubert (2001) +2 other references |
| Croisez (2012) |
| Neutkens et al. (2007) |
| Van Goethem et al. (1983) +2 other references |
Brazil | |
| |
Bulgaria | |
| Bonev et al. (2006) |
Canada | |
| Gait et al. (1990) |
| |
| Age of the Cabonga nepheline syenite +4 other references |
China | |
| Xianxiao Xiong (1999) |
Denmark | |
| [var: Glendonite] Madsen (2002) |
DR Congo | |
| [var: Cobalt-bearing Calcite] www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com +1 other reference |
France | |
| Yves Masson collection +1 other reference |
| Personnaly collected by M. Diot |
| Gruner L. E. (1857) |
| suspected +2 other references |
| Michel Treillard (visual identification) |
| Inventaire mineralogique de l'Ariege ( Edition BRGM 1984) |
| Belot (1978) |
| Favreau G. et al. (2004) |
| Self collected S. MAURY 2013 |
Germany | |
| bert.deruiter@gmail.com |
| Markus Gerstmann - Collection +1 other reference |
Iceland | |
| [var: Iceland Spar] |
| [var: Iceland Spar] Kristjansson (2002) |
Ireland | |
| O’Reilly et al. (1997) |
| Dr Stephen Moreton +1 other reference |
| S. Moreton |
| Barry Flannery (Personal Collection) |
Italy | |
| Ref.: Battilocchi G. (2005) |
| [Fetid Calcite var: Tartuffite] Catullo (1812) |
Latvia | |
| Dmitry Vorobjov's collection +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Reiner Mielke +1 other reference |
| Schneider (2004) |
| Kazmierczak et al. (2011) |
Norway | |
| Aminoff (1916) |
| Goldschmidt (1911) |
| Münster (1883) +1 other reference |
| Nordrum (1993) |
Peru | |
| Econ Geol (1985) +1 other reference |
Portugal | |
| Rui Nunes September 2010 |
| Rui Nunes' calcite collection from ... |
| Rui Nunes and Martins da Pedra ... |
Tiago Guia collection | |
Russia | |
| [var: Iceland Spar] collection V.V. Levitsky |
[var: Iceland Spar] Galiulin et al. (1996) | |
| Dobovol'skaya et al. (1990) +3 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Bálintová |
South Africa | |
| PMPB Meulenbeld collection Photo ID: ... |
Spain | |
| Calvo et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Calvo (2012) |
| Calvo (2012) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2012) |
| Calvo et al. (2006) |
| [var: Cobalt-bearing Calcite] Calvo (2012) |
| Calvo (1996) |
Sweden | |
| Torbjörn Lorin collection |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet (2004) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Trevor Boyd Collection |
USA | |
| Maneotis: 2009 |
Mathew Maneotis data. +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Min 70:5 pp 298-310 |
| Jim Hall 2009 |
| Januzzi (1959) +1 other reference |
| J. Zolan Collection +2 other references |
| Wolfe et al. (1960) +1 other reference |
| Bartsch (1940) |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 34: 3. +5 other references |
| P Cristofono collection +1 other reference |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Powell (1987) |
| Bill Barrett collection |
| Ague (1995) |
| |
| Moore (2005) |
| Rocks & Min.:64:195. |
| Rocks & Min.: 64:203. |
| T. Kennedy collection |
| Visual identification by Mike Polletta |
| Barite Deposits of Kentucky |
| |
| Harvard Museum of Natural History |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
| Publications of the Field Columbian ... |
Conroy (2023) | |
| 355-376 +4 other references |
| 355-376 +3 other references |
Econ Geol (1992) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Gary Moldovany +1 other reference |
| Specimens in numerous collections ... |
| |
| A Quest for New Jersey Minerals (1978) |
| Jensen (1942) |
| Mineralogical Record: 32: 273. +1 other reference |
| Collection of Jeff Wilson (Field Trips, The North Jersey Mineralogical Society) |
Lapham & Geyer | |
| Berkheiser (1983) |
Lapham & Geyer | |
Lapham & Geyer | |
| Rocks & Minerals (1986) +1 other reference |
Rocks & Min.: 17:51 +4 other references | |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Kyle (1976) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min.: 59:68 & 64:14. +2 other references |
| C. Tucker collection |
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Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, USA