# Calcite

Calcite is a beautiful mineral that comes in many colors like white, orange, and green. It can be found in caves, mountains, and even in the shells of tiny sea creatures.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Iceland Spar, Optical Calcite

![Calcite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Calcite_%28Mexique%29_.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Géry PARENT, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calcite_%28Mexique%29_.jpg)

## Appearance

The Calcite is an incredibly diverse mineral, often appearing as colorless or white crystals, but can be found in almost any color of the rainbow. It frequently forms distinctive rhombohedral shapes or can grow into impressive cave formations like stalactites. Its perfect cleavage often results in smooth, flat surfaces.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Vikings may have used clear Calcite crystals to help navigate by the sun.
- Huge caves around the world are decorated with stunning Calcite formations.
- Most seashells and magnificent coral reefs are built almost entirely from Calcite!
- Your bones and teeth contain a similar calcium mineral, making them strong!

## Special abilities

- **Double Vision Crystal:** Calcite has unique optical properties like birefringence, causing light to split into two, making objects viewed through it look doubled!
- **Fizzing Rock Power:** Calcite reacts vigorously with weak acids, creating a visible fizz as carbon dioxide gas is released. This helps identify it!
- **Magic Light Glow:** Some varieties of Calcite can glow in amazing colors under ultraviolet light, appearing to light up on their own.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** clear, white, yellow, orange, blue, green, pink, brown, black
- **Hardness:** 3
- **Luster:** vitreous
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.71
- **Crystal System:** trigonal

## Traits

- [Fluorescent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fluorescent): Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light or other non-visible radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Calcite is safe to handle, but it's best not to put it in your mouth or eyes.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Calcite?

Compare crystal faces, growth shape, clarity and how the crystals cluster. A polished or tumbled stone has lost much of the natural shape that makes identification easier. Crystal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Calcite be?

clear, white, yellow, orange, blue, green, pink, brown, black

### How hard is Calcite?

3

### What kind of luster does Calcite have?

vitreous

### What is Calcite's specific gravity?

2.71

### What crystal system does Calcite belong to?

trigonal

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Calcite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/calcite)