Calcite

Q: What is Calcite?

La calcita es el mineral de carbonato de calcio más estable y uno de los minerales más abundantes de la corteza terrestre. Cristaliza en el sistema trigonal y puede presentarse en más de 300 formas cristalinas diferentes, siendo el mineral con mayor variedad morfológica conocida. Existe en una ampli

Q: What is the hardness of Calcite?

Calcite has a Mohs hardness of 3.0, making it relatively soft for use in jewelry.

Q: How much does Calcite cost?

Calcite falls into the Budget (< $50/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.

Q: What is the crystal system of Calcite?

Calcite belongs to the Trigonal crystal system.

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Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 3,0

Specific Gravity 2,67 – 2,73

Refractive Index 1,486 – 1,658

Crystal System Trigonal

Luster Vitreous,Resinous

Cleavage Perfect

Fracture Conchoidal

Color various

Birefringence 0,172

Pleochroism Nil

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 3,0

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Budget (< $50/ct)

Where to Buy Calcite

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Treatments

Massive variety often dyed green to imitate jadeite. Chelsea: commonly red. Solvent test. May be impregnated with wax or plastic: hot point test - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 9 3Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 2.67 to 2.73Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references PerfectHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Perfect and easyMore from other references ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) 1.486 to 1.658Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Uniaxial/-Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 0.172Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references NilArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) e ray-0.008 to o ray-0.017Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) White, yellowish, pink, bluish, orange, colourlessUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Pink, CO2+W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) Transparent,Translucent,OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Vitreous,ResinousArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Inert to strong reaction, commonly pinkish-redHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) TrigonalHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Scalenohedrons, rhombohedrons, stalactiteArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) A major rock-forming mineral. It occurs in limestones, marbles, chalks, a common cement in clastic sedimentary rocks, and as gangue in hydrothermal veins; in alkalic to mafic igneous rocks; common as speleothems in caves.Anthony et al, Handbook of Mineralogy (2001) Calcite information at mindat.org Colombia  DR Congo  [var: Cobalt-bearing Calcite] [var: Cobalt-bearing Calcite] Iceland  mindat.org Myanmar  Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Peru 

About Calcite

La calcita es el mineral de carbonato de calcio más estable y uno de los minerales más abundantes de la corteza terrestre. Cristaliza en el sistema trigonal y puede presentarse en más de 300 formas cristalinas diferentes, siendo el mineral con mayor variedad morfológica conocida. Existe en una amplia gama de colores: incoloro, blanco, amarillo, naranja, rosa, verde, azul y negro. La calcita islandesa (espato de Islandia) es transparente y muestra una extraordinaria birrefringencia doble. Se encuentra en calizas, mármoles, travertinos y como relleno de venas hidrotermales. Aunque blanda (3 en la escala de Mohs), algunos ejemplares son facetados como gemas de coleccionista.