Iceland Spar Calcite
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US $300.00
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Iceland Spar Calcite
calcite Mining and Calcite Applications by jacker
The Calcite has another name calcspar. Calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It has a Mohs hardness of 3, a specific gravity of 2.71, and its luster is vitreous in crystallized varieties. Color is white or none, though shades of gray, red, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, or even black can occur when the mineral is charged with impurities. Calcite is transparent to opaque and may occasionally show phosphorescence or fluorescence. A transparent variety called Iceland spar is used for optical purposes.
Calcite is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks, limestone in particular, much of which is formed from the shells of dead marine organisms. Approximately 10% of sedimentary rock is limestone. Calcite is the primary mineral in metamorphic marble. It also occurs as a vein mineral in deposits from hot springs, and it occurs in caverns as stalactites and stalagmites.
The mineral is worked by shallow pits. During mining the calcite is sorted out into different grades depending upon the colours as they fetch different prices and also, because their suitability depends upon the colours. The mineral is used invariably in the form of fine powder. Few important mine-owners have their own pulverizing plants; others sell to pulverizers. Generally calcite is supplied in three qualities: Best white (super-fix), White (Calico), Grey white (Gemco).
Calcite/calcspar Applications
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