Mineral 1.0: Calcite (sparry)

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Mineral Picture courtesy of www.yuprocks.com

Calcite (sparry)  (Iceland Spar)CaCO₃

Class: Carbonate
Hardness: 3
Density: 2.7
Streak: White
Lustre: Vitreous
Habit: Large crystals, some exhibiting common twin striae
Colours: White
   Crystal System: Hexagonal
Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral
Fracture: Subconchoidal
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: Strong
Identification in hand sample:
Hardness, crystal habit and twin striae are typical.
Associations:
Common as a cementing agent in clastic sediments or as fossil fragments.
Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Used in the manufacture of portland cement (quicklime) and in the pharmaceutical industry.
Comments:
The transparent variety is called "Iceland Spar".



Inaccurate data? Better photos? .