Calcite Facts
Calcite Facts
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| Interesting Calcite Facts: |
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| Calcite comes in many different shapes and colors which makes it a popular choice among collectors. |
| Found in over 300 different shapes, calcite has more different shapes than any other mineral. |
| Calcite is commonly used to make cement. |
| Although calcite can come in many dark colors, its streak is always white or light-colored. |
| Limestone, which is used in chalk, is made of calcite. |
| Calcite is used in optical instruments because it has the ability to make objects appear doubled. |
| It is very common to find calcite in the shells of certain marine animals. |
| A distinctive characteristic of calcite is that it bubbles when exposed to a weak acid. |
| When large, underwater rocks containing calcite are exposed to acid, they dissolve and make caves. |
| Calcite can be found in various countries in the world including Mexico, the US, England, India, and Germany. |
| Calcite in the form of limestone is used to make dog food. |
| Sea organisms whose shells are made of calcite help balance the amount of CO2 in the ocean by absorbing it to make their calcite shells. |
| Calcite is an example of a fluorescent mineral in that it can emit light when connected to a non-visible UV light. |
| Calcite is also phosphorescent in that after being disconnected from a non-visible UV light, it still glows. |
| Calcite also emits light when it is heated much like steel. |
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