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]]
 
  
 
== 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]]]
  
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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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== Risks ==
  
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== Other Properties ==
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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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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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== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
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* Rhombohedral crystal system.  
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* Perfect cleavage in three directions.  
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* Fracture = conchoidal.  
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* High birefringence.  
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* Can doubly refract light.  
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* Aged surfaces of calcite may fluoresce purple or blue in ultraviolet light; freshly cleaved surfaces are white to yellow.  
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* Reacts with acids to evolve carbon dioxide.  
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* Luster = vitreous.  
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* Streak = white.
  
 
{| 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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| 1.486; 1.658; (1.566)
 
| 1.486; 1.658; (1.566)
 
|}
 
|}
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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.
 
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° 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 ==
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:Calcite C100x.jpg|Calcite
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File:calcite.jpg|Calcite
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File:Calcite C100x.jpg|Calcite at 100x
 
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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* 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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== Authority (list of all sources checked for information on this subject)==
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* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Calcite.shtml Calcite]
  
 
* Thomas Gregory, ''The Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942  Comment: Mohs =2
 
* Thomas Gregory, ''The Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942  Comment: Mohs =2
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* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976  Comment: Mohs=3
 
* ''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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* ''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
 
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
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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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* 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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* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcite (Accessed Sept 2 2005; 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

Revision as of 15:24, 11 May 2022

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.

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

CALCITE1.jpg


Risks

ThermoFisher SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Rhombohedral crystal system.
  • Perfect cleavage in three directions.
  • Fracture = conchoidal.
  • High birefringence.
  • Can doubly refract light.
  • Aged surfaces of calcite may fluoresce purple or blue in ultraviolet light; freshly cleaved surfaces are white to yellow.
  • Reacts with acids to evolve carbon dioxide.
  • Luster = vitreous.
  • Streak = white.
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)

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Additional Images

  • Calcite

  • Calcite at 100x

  • Plane polarized light micrograph of calcite

Resources and Citations

  • R. Gettens, E. West Fitzhugh, R.Feller, "Calcium Carbonate Whites", Artists Pigments, Vol. 2., A. Roy ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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