Edmar M.

Aquino

Calcite is the one of the most common minerals. It

is a rock-forming mineral with a chemical formula of
CaCO3. It is extremely common and found throughout the
world in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.
Some geologists consider it to be a "ubiquitous mineral" -
one that is found everywhere.

Calcite occurs in diverse crystal shapes and colors,

and it constitutes a major portion of many of the earth's
rocks. Calcite found throughout the world, most notably in:
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia, Brazil, Germany, Romania,
England, Canada, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Russia, New Jersey, Elmwood Mine, Tennessee, Kansas, Indiana,
Illinois, Ohio, Nevada, Missouri, Colorado, Massachusetts.

Calcite is in different varieties. Some are Agaric Mineral, Anthraconite, Aphrite, Cobaltocalcite, Corn
Spar, Dogtooth Calcite, Flowstone, Hog-toothed Spar, Iceland Spar, Manganocalcite, Nail Head Spar, Onyx
Marble, Optical Calcite, Rice Grain Spar, Salmon Calcite, Sand Calcite, Satin Spar, Stalactite, Stalagmite,
Travertine, and Tufa.

Physical Properties of Calcite

Chemical Classification Carbonate
Color Usually white but also colorless, gray, red, green, blue, yellow, brown,
orange
Streak White
Luster Vitreous
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Cleavage Perfect, rhombohedral, three directions
Mohs Hardness 3
Specific Gravity 2.7
Diagnostic Properties Rhombohedral cleavage, powdered form effervesces weakly in dilute HCl,
curved crystal faces and frequent twinning
Chemical Composition CaCO3
Crystal System Hexagonal

Uses of Calcite

Calcite was determined to have varied uses from daily living to industries. Some of these are the
following.

The construction industry is the primary consumer of calcite in the form of limestone and marble. These
rocks have been used as dimension stones and in mortar for thousands of years (many of the pyramids of Egypt
and Latin America). Modern construction uses calcite in the form of limestone and marble to produce cement and
concrete (used to make buildings, highways, bridges, walls, and many other structures).

Calcite has numerous uses as a neutralizer of acids. For hundreds of years, limestones and marbles have
been crushed and spread on fields as an acid-neutralizing soil treatment; dispensed into the streams to neutralize
their waters; and it is also an ingredient in numerous medications used to treat digestive and other ailments.

Sorbents are substances that have the ability to "capture" another substance. Calcium carbonate reacts
with sulfur dioxide and other gases in the combustion emissions, absorbs them, and prevents them from escaping
to the atmosphere.

Marble is an attractive and easily worked rock that has long been used for monuments and sculptures. It is
widely used as cemetery markers, statues, mantles, benches, stairways, and much more.

Pulverized limestone and marble are often used as a dietary supplement in animal feed. And pulverized
limestone is also used as a mine safety dust.