Calcite: The Crystal That Shapes Worlds (And Shows Double!)

Описание: "What if one stone could split your vision in two... and build entire civilizations?"
Calcite is a common and widely distributed mineral composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). It’s one of the most important and abundant minerals on Earth, forming in a variety of geological environments and displaying a stunning range of colors and crystal habits.
Key Characteristics:
Chemical formula: CaCO₃ (Calcium Carbonate)
Crystal system: Trigonal
Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale (soft – can be scratched by a knife)
Cleavage: Perfect in three directions, forming rhombohedrons
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Transparency: Transparent to opaque
Optical Property:
Calcite is famous for double refraction—when you look through a clear crystal, images appear doubled. This property makes Iceland spar (a clear form of calcite) valuable in optical instruments historically.
Colors:
Calcite comes in nearly every color, including:
White
Yellow
Orange
Blue
Green
Pink
Red
Black Color often depends on impurities such as iron, manganese, or copper.
Formation:
Calcite forms in sedimentary environments (like limestone and marble), in hydrothermal veins, and as a primary or secondary mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It’s also a major component of marine shells and corals.
Common Uses:
Construction: Limestone and marble (calcite-rich rocks) are used as building materials and in cement.
Soil treatment: Agricultural lime to neutralize acidic soils.
Collectors: Crystals are popular with mineral collectors due to their beauty and variety.
Metaphysical: Believed to amplify energy, cleanse environments, and support mental clarity, though this is not scientifically supported.
If you’re interested, I can also show you some standout calcite crystal forms or localities like Elmwood Mine (USA), Tsumeb (Namibia), or Mexico’s vibrant orange and blue varieties.