Calcite is one of the most common minerals, found in sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks throughout the world, including Marble and Limestone, which together make up a significant portion of the Earth’s crust. It is also one of the most colorful minerals, occurring in numerous colors including white, yellow, red, orange, blue, green, brown, gray and colorless to name a few. It also occurs in multi-colored and banded form. It often occurs in association with Quartz, Pyrite, Fluorite, Sphalerite, Chalcopyrite, and Barite to name just a few.

Calcite’s crystal system is hexagonal and its crystal forms are more varied than its colors. The most common crystal forms are rhombohedral and scalenohedral, but may also be tabular, lenticular, stalactitic, fibrous, massive and twinned to name a few. Another distinctive feature is its perfect rhombohedral cleavage.

Calcite is found throughout the world. Some notable locations include China, England, Germany, Iceland, Mexico and the USA (Missouri, Tennessee).