Calcite

Big Photo

Cobalt-bearing Calcite
Spain
6.44 carats
© Rarestone.com

Calcite is named after Latin "calx" - lime. It is a very common mineral with wide range of colours and forms.

Attractive specimens are faceted or used for cabochons and carved ornamental objects.

Calcite may exhibit fluorescence, phosphorescence, thermoluminescence and/or triboluminescence.

Calcite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Calcite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Calcite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.32 cts
Heaviest:126.59 cts
Average:22.99 cts
Total photos:24
Do you have a larger Calcite? Why not upload a photo?
0.32ct to 12.95ct12.95ct to 25.57ct25.57ct to 38.20ct38.20ct to 50.83ct50.83ct to 63.46ct63.46ct to 76.08ct76.08ct to 88.71ct88.71ct to 101.34ct101.34ct to 113.96ct113.96ct to 126.59ct
General Information
Varieties/Types:
Cobalt-bearing Calcite - Cobalt-bearing pink/purple calcite.
Chemical Formula
CaCO
 
3
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Calcite 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
Physical Properties of Calcite
Mohs Hardness3
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity2.67 to 2.73
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Cleavage QualityPerfect
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Perfect and easyMore from other references
FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Calcite
Refractive Index1.486 to 1.658
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.172
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references
PleochroismNil
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Dispersione ray-0.008 to o ray-0.017
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Colour
Colour (General)White, yellowish, pink, bluish, orange, colourless
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Causes of ColourPink, CO2+
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
LustreVitreous,Resinous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV)Inert to strong reaction, commonly pinkish-red
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Calcite
Crystal SystemTrigonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
HabitScalenohedrons, rhombohedrons, stalactite
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Geological Environment
Where found: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)
Further Information
Mineral information:Calcite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Colombia
 
  • Boyacá Department
    • Western Boyacá Province
      • Maripí
        • La Pita
DR Congo
 
[var: Cobalt-bearing Calcite]
  • Lualaba
    • Mutshatsha
      • Sicomines copper-cobalt project
[var: Cobalt-bearing Calcite]
Iceland
 
  • Eastern Region
    • Fjarðabyggð
      • Reyðarfjörður
mindat.org
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
      • Mogok Township
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Pein-Pyit (Painpyit; Pyan Pyit)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Peru
 
  • Arequipa
    • Castilla Province
  • Huancavelica
    • Castrovirreyna Province
  • Junín
    • Huancayo Province
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