2.5" Fluorescent Calcite Crystal Cluster - Morocco

This is a tightly packed calcite crystal cluster, giving the specimen a botryoidal appearance, collected from Morocco. The cluster measures 2.5" wide and the crystals bear yellow-orange coloration. Under shortwave ultraviolet light, the calcite crystals exhibit a vibrant white fluorescence. There is some fluorescence under longwave ultraviolet light as well, but it's not nearly as intense.

About Calcite Crystals

Calcite crystals are a form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) known for their diverse shapes, transparency, and vibrant range of colors. They typically form in rhombohedral, scalenohedral, or prismatic shapes, often with well-defined, sharp edges and glossy surfaces. Calcite crystals are often translucent or transparent, sometimes displaying a double refraction effect where objects viewed through the crystal appear doubled. They can appear in various colors—white, clear, yellow, pink, blue, green, and orange—depending on impurities or trace minerals.

A notable characteristic of calcite is its reaction with weak acids like vinegar, which causes it to effervesce, or fizz, as it releases carbon dioxide. This property makes calcite crystals a key tool in geological identification and studies. Calcite forms in many environments, from sedimentary rocks like limestone and marble to hydrothermal veins.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite
LOCATION
Morocco
SIZE
2.5" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#252178