Calcite                                    Mineral Group: CARBONATES
RocksForKids.com

 

Calcite
  • Calcite is a very common mineral. It is found in most places on earth. It is a sedimentary mineral.
  • Calcite crystals come in many different shapes.
  • There are more than 300 different crystal shapes. This is more than any other mineral.
  • People who decide to collect only calcite can have a very interesting collection because there are so many shapes that calcite comes in.
  • One common use for calcite is that it is used in making cement.

Scalenohedral Calcite Crystals w/ green coating (chlorite?)
Mathers Quarry, Saint-Eustache, Quebec  CANADA

 

Calcite with Barrerite coating
Cantung Mine, Tungsten, Northwest Territories    CANADA

 
Calcite Crystals
  • These photos are of calcite found  by T. Elliott in the LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA

Dog-Tooth Calcite Crystals
LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA
Dog-Tooth Calcite Crystals
  • this crystal shape is called dog-tooth because they look like the canine teeth
     

Lockport Quarry, New York, USA

SPECIMEN: Dog-Tooth Calcite Crystals with Sphalerite
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA

SPECIMEN: Dog-Tooth Calcite Crystals
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA

SPECIMEN: Dog-Tooth Calcite Crystals
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA
Calcite
  • Other minerals like dolomite are often found with calcite crystals.
  • Calcite is often found in vugs and in veins in sedimentary rocks.

     

     


SPECIMEN: Pink Dolomite and Dog-Tooth Calcite Crystals
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA

SPECIMEN ORIGIN: BRAZIL
Calcite Cemented Limestone Breccia
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA

SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA

SPECIMEN ORIGIN: LaFarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario, CANADA
Honey Brown Calcite with Quartz Crystals
  • Calcite crystals can also be rhombohedrons (6 sided).

SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Rockwood, Michigan, USA
Calcite Rhomb
  • This calcite specimen still looks like a rhomb (squished box) but its edges are rounded.
  • Its surface is also like satin and looks pearly.
  • Calcite breaks into rhombs very easily, especially when exposed to the weather.
  • This piece has been tumbled with other pieces of calcite as it tumbled down the mountain side.
  • it is also fluorescent
  • perfect cleavage
  • smooth flat breaks
  • white streak

SPECIMEN: CALCITE Rhomb
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: North Bay, Ontario, CANADA
Weathered Calcite
  • This piece of pink calcite was buried under a thick layer of forest soil.
  • As the water moved along the rock, it eroded it.
  • That is why the calcite is criss-crossed with fine sharp lines and is a darker color.
  • The part of the calcite that was freshly broken or cut, is still a fresh pink color.

SPECIMEN: Weathered Calcite surrounding HORNBLENDE crystals
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Eganville, Ontario, CANADA
Pink Calcite
  • This picture shows a massive piece of pink calcite that has been freshly broken. Notice how shiny the surface is and how pink the color is. This specimen is from the same location as the weathered piece above.

SPECIMEN: Pink Calcite
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Eganville, Ontario, CANADA
Blue Calcite
SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Gouveneur Talc#4 Quarry, Gouverneur, New York, USA
Dog-Tooth Calcite and Dolomite

 

SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Walker Brothers Quarry, Thorold, Lincoln County, Ontario, CANADA
Calcite  from Lincoln Quarry, Beamsville, Ontario  CANADA
Calcite  from Lafarge Quarry,  Dundas, Ontario  CANADA
Calcite - Cauliflower Calcite (fluorescent)  from Grand River, Paris, Ontario  CANADA
Calcite  from Sweetwater Mine, The Lead Pillar Room 1,300 ft. level, Doe Run Mine, ASARCO Inc., Reynolds County, Missouri  USA
Calcite - Honey Brown Calcite Cubes   from Sora Limestone Quarry, Rockwood, Michigan  USA
Calcite  from Aguathuna, Newfoundland  CANADA

 

RocksForKids HOME      Table of Contents       Contact Us       ©  1999 - 2012 GMB Services      Privacy Policy    About Us   About This Site