2.9" Calcite Crystal Cluster - Red Dome Mine

This specimen features colorless calcite crystals that are perched atop a cluster of heavily included brown calcites, collected from the Red Dome Mine in Australia. Due to the closure of this mine, it can be difficult to come across these stunning calcite crystals. The impurities within this crystals that give them their red-brown hue can likely be attributed to cuprite.

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
Red Dome Mine, Mungana, Queensland, Australia
SIZE
Cluster: 2.9 x 1.95"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#204682