Calcite

The varieties of calcite, CaCO₃, are so numerous and so varied that an entire display case at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is devoted to just calcite. Calcite is the most abundant of the carbonate minerals. The sample shown above and in the closeup view below is called cobaltian calcite. The sample is about 9x12 cm. The 3.9 carat gem at right is from Spain. All these samples are part of the gem and mineral exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The calcite gem above is 52.3 carats and is from Balmat, New York. At right above is a 110.7 carat calcite gem from Africa. The 122.3 carat gem below right is from Chihuahua, Mexico. The large gem below is 1865 carats and is from Balmat, New York.

The red calcite gem above is 150.6 carats and the gem at right is 70.2 carats. They are from Baja California, Mexico.