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Calcite (Carbonate)

CaCO3

Hardness: 3.0
Specific Gravity: 2.71

Characteristics: A very common mineral; usually white or colorless; easily effervesces with dilute HCl; rhombohedral crystals, perfect rhombohedral cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; transparent to translucent; vitreous to dull luster; exhibits double refraction;

Found in limestones, many marine fossils, chalk, marbles, hot springs, carbonatites, veins in some metamorphic and some igneous rocks.

Principle uses of calcite include in cement and mortars, in the production of lime, in medicine, toothpaste, chalk, and as mineral specimen in collections.

(Primary text: Perkins, D. 2002. Mineralogy. Prentice Hall.)