ORCHID CALCITE

Specifications

Mineral Class: Calcite or Carbonate
Crystal System: Trigonal
Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous to Pearly
Diaphaneity: Transparent to Translucent
Colors: Orange, Yellow, White, Black
Symbolizes: Thoughtfulness
Source: Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Iceland, Peru, Romania, Slovakia, UK, and USA

Orchid Calcite is a yellow to orange variety of the carbonate minerals and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. Calcite’s name comes from the German “calcit” coined in the 19th century from latin for limestone. The Orchid flower is a symbol of thoughtfulness, love, and beauty. The word is somewhat related to chalk. Calcite can convert to aragonite in a matter of days depending on the temperature variants. Calcite is a very widespread and well-known mineral that comes in many forms and colors. It is known for its low Mohs hardness and is very abundant in the Earth's crust. It is found in sedimentary rock. Calcite contains carbon, calcium, and oxygen which are collectively known as calcium carbonate. It is usually mined from deep underground or quarried from the surface of the Earth.