Difference between revisions of "Calcite"

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[[File:11.1157-SC27372.jpg|thumb|]]
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[[File:11.1157-SC27372.jpg|thumb|Egyptian dish<br>MFA# 11.1157]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:Calcite crystal pendants.jpg|thumb|Crystal pendant<br>MFA# 13.3516]]
 
The most common crystalline form of [[calcium%20carbonate|calcium carbonate]]. Calcite is widely distributed throughout the world as [[chalk|chalk]], [[limestone|limestone]], and [[marble|marble]]. Major deposits were formed from ancient sea beds and hard water deposits (e.g., stalactites). Iceland is famous for producing large clear birefractive calcite crystals that are used in optical systems ([[Iceland%20spar|Iceland spar]]). In addition to clear colorless crystals, calcite may also appear white or pale shades of other colors depending on the crystal size and the presence of impurities. Marble is limestone that has been metamorphosed to form compact crystals of calcite. Calcite has been gathered or mined since Paleolithic times. In the form of chalk, calcite was powdered for use as a [[pigment]] and as an ingredient in the manufacture of [[steel]], [[cement]], and [[glass]]. Limestone and marble are used for sculpture and buildings.
 
The most common crystalline form of [[calcium%20carbonate|calcium carbonate]]. Calcite is widely distributed throughout the world as [[chalk|chalk]], [[limestone|limestone]], and [[marble|marble]]. Major deposits were formed from ancient sea beds and hard water deposits (e.g., stalactites). Iceland is famous for producing large clear birefractive calcite crystals that are used in optical systems ([[Iceland%20spar|Iceland spar]]). In addition to clear colorless crystals, calcite may also appear white or pale shades of other colors depending on the crystal size and the presence of impurities. Marble is limestone that has been metamorphosed to form compact crystals of calcite. Calcite has been gathered or mined since Paleolithic times. In the form of chalk, calcite was powdered for use as a [[pigment]] and as an ingredient in the manufacture of [[steel]], [[cement]], and [[glass]]. Limestone and marble are used for sculpture and buildings.
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[[File:calcite.jpg|thumb|Calcite]]
 
[[File:calcite.jpg|thumb|Calcite]]
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== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
 
calcium carbonate; marble; limestone; Iceland spar; dogtooth spar; dog-tooth spar; nailhead spar; satin spar; calcareous spar; calc spar; calcspar; calcite (It., Fr., Port.); Kalzit, Calcit  (Deut.); calcita (Esp.); calciet (Ned.); calcium salt of carbonic acid; Pigment White 18; CI 7720
 
calcium carbonate; marble; limestone; Iceland spar; dogtooth spar; dog-tooth spar; nailhead spar; satin spar; calcareous spar; calc spar; calcspar; calcite (It., Fr., Port.); Kalzit, Calcit  (Deut.); calcita (Esp.); calciet (Ned.); calcium salt of carbonic acid; Pigment White 18; CI 7720
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[[[SliderGallery rightalign|Calcite (Egyptian limestone).TIF~FTIR (MFA)|Calcite marble, 50X, laser 532 nm copy.tif~Raman (MFA)|CALCITE1.jpg~XRD (MFA)|CHSOS XRF of Chalk.jpg~XRF (CHSOS)]]]
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== Risks ==
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* ThermoFisher [https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AC423510025&productDescription=CALCIUM+CARBONATE+99%2BACS+2.5KG&vendorId=VN00032119&countryCode=US&language=en SDS]
  
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[[[SliderGallery rightalign|calciteRS.jpg~Raman|Calciteitaly1.jpg~Raman|MFA- Calcite (Egyptian limestone).jpg~FTIR|CALCITE1.jpg~XRD]]]
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== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
  
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== Other Properties ==
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* Trigonal crystal system with granular, stalatitic, massive or rhombohedral crystals
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* Perfect cleavage in three directions  
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Rhombohedral crystal system. Perfect cleavage in three directions. Fracture = conchoidal. High birefringence. Can doubly refract light. Aged surfaces of calcite may fluoresces purple or blue in ultraviolet light; freshly cleaved surfaces are white to yellow. Reacts with acids to evolve carbon dioxide. Luster = vitreous. Streak = white.
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* Fracture = conchoidal  
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* Luster = vitreous to pearly
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* Streak = white
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* Can doubly refract light  
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* Fluorescence = aged surfaces of calcite may fluoresce purple or blue in ultraviolet light; freshly cleaved surfaces are white to yellow; may be phosphorescent
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* Reacts with acids to evolve carbon dioxide.  
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
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| 2.71-2.72
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| 2.71-2.72 g/ml
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Molecular Weight
 
! scope="row"| Molecular Weight
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! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
| 1.486; 1.658; (1.566)
 
| 1.486; 1.658; (1.566)
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|-
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! scope="row"| Birefringence
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| 0.154 - 0.174 (very high)
 
|}
 
|}
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== Hazards and Safety ==
 
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[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1193.html International Chemical Safety Card]
 
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== Additional Information ==
 
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° R. Gettens, E. West Fitzhugh, R.Feller, "Calcium Carbonate Whites", ''Artists Pigments'', Vol. 2., A. Roy ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993. ° Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Calcite.shtml Calcite]
 
  
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
  
 
[[media:download_file_209.pdf|Properties of Common Abrasives]]
 
[[media:download_file_209.pdf|Properties of Common Abrasives]]
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== Additional Images ==
 
== Additional Images ==
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:Calcite C100x.jpg|Calcite
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File:Calcite C100x.jpg|Calcite at 100x (visible light left; UV light right)
 
File:mcalcite plmp.jpg|Plane polarized light micrograph of calcite
 
File:mcalcite plmp.jpg|Plane polarized light micrograph of calcite
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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== Resources and Citations ==
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== Authority ==
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* Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
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* R. Gettens, E. West Fitzhugh, R.Feller, "Calcium Carbonate Whites", ''Artists Pigments'', Vol. 2., A. Roy ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993.
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* Thomas Gregory, ''The Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942  Comment: Mohs =2
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* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Calcite.shtml Calcite]
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "calcite" [Accessed December 4, 2001]
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* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976  Comment: Mohs=3
 
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "calcite" Encyclopædia Britannica [Accessed December 4, 2001]
 
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* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
 
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 138, Mohs=3
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 138, Mohs=3
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* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
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* Thomas Gregory, ''The Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942  Comment: Mohs =2
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* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcite (Accessed Sept 2 2005; hardness = 3, sp = 2.7
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* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976 Comment: Mohs=3
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* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcite Calcite] (Accessed Sept 2 2005 and Dec 2022) hardness = 3, sp = 2.7
 
* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
 
* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
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* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
 
* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
  

Latest revision as of 12:30, 10 April 2024

Egyptian dish
MFA# 11.1157

Description

Crystal pendant
MFA# 13.3516

The most common crystalline form of Calcium carbonate. Calcite is widely distributed throughout the world as Chalk, Limestone, and Marble. Major deposits were formed from ancient sea beds and hard water deposits (e.g., stalactites). Iceland is famous for producing large clear birefractive calcite crystals that are used in optical systems (Iceland spar). In addition to clear colorless crystals, calcite may also appear white or pale shades of other colors depending on the crystal size and the presence of impurities. Marble is limestone that has been metamorphosed to form compact crystals of calcite. Calcite has been gathered or mined since Paleolithic times. In the form of chalk, calcite was powdered for use as a Pigment and as an ingredient in the manufacture of Steel, Cement, and Glass. Limestone and marble are used for sculpture and buildings.

Calcite

Synonyms and Related Terms

calcium carbonate; marble; limestone; Iceland spar; dogtooth spar; dog-tooth spar; nailhead spar; satin spar; calcareous spar; calc spar; calcspar; calcite (It., Fr., Port.); Kalzit, Calcit (Deut.); calcita (Esp.); calciet (Ned.); calcium salt of carbonic acid; Pigment White 18; CI 7720

FTIR (MFA)

Calcite (Egyptian limestone).TIF

Raman (MFA)

Calcite marble, 50X, laser 532 nm copy.tif

XRD (MFA)

CALCITE1.jpg

XRF (CHSOS)

CHSOS XRF of Chalk.jpg

Risks

  • ThermoFisher SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Trigonal crystal system with granular, stalatitic, massive or rhombohedral crystals
  • Perfect cleavage in three directions
  • Fracture = conchoidal
  • Luster = vitreous to pearly
  • Streak = white
  • Can doubly refract light
  • Fluorescence = aged surfaces of calcite may fluoresce purple or blue in ultraviolet light; freshly cleaved surfaces are white to yellow; may be phosphorescent
  • Reacts with acids to evolve carbon dioxide.
Composition CaCO3
CAS 471-34-1
Mohs Hardness 3.0
Density 2.71-2.72 g/ml
Molecular Weight mol. wt. = 100.09
Refractive Index 1.486; 1.658; (1.566)
Birefringence 0.154 - 0.174 (very high)

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Additional Images

  • Calcite at 100x (visible light left; UV light right)

  • Plane polarized light micrograph of calcite

Resources and Citations

  • Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
  • R. Gettens, E. West Fitzhugh, R.Feller, "Calcium Carbonate Whites", Artists Pigments, Vol. 2., A. Roy ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993.
  • Mineralogy Database: Calcite
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "calcite" [Accessed December 4, 2001]
  • R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 138, Mohs=3
  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942 Comment: Mohs =2
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976 Comment: Mohs=3
  • Wikipedia: Calcite (Accessed Sept 2 2005 and Dec 2022) hardness = 3, sp = 2.7
  • Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
  • A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962

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