Category
Carbonate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
CaCO3
Strunz classification
5.AB.15
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Crystal class
Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group
Pmcn
Unit cell
a = 4.95, b = 7.96
c = 5.74 [Å]; Z = 4
Identification
Color
White, red, yellow, orange, green, purple, grey, blue and brown
Crystal habit
Pseudohexagonal, prismatic crystals, acicular, columnar, globular, reniform, pisolitic, coralloidal, stalactitic, internally banded
Twinning
Polysynthetic parallel to {100} cyclically on {110}
Cleavage
Distinct on {010}, imperfect {110} and {011}
Fracture
Subconchoidal
Tenacity
Brittle
Mohs scalehardness
3.5-4
Luster
Vitreous, resinous on fracture surfaces
Streak
White
Diaphaneity
Translucent to transparent
Specific gravity
2.95
Optical properties
Biaxial (-)
Refractive index
nα = 1.529 - 1.530 nβ = 1.680 - 1.682 nγ = 1.685 - 1.686
Birefringence
δ = 0.156
2V angle
18°
Solubility
Dilute acid
Other characteristics
Fluorescence: pale rose, yellow, white or bluish; phosphorescence: greenish or white (LW UV); yellowish (SW UV)
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