General Information:
Chemical Formula:
CaCO3·(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 118.10 gm)
Calcium 33.93 % Ca
Hydrogen 1.71 % H
Carbon 10.17 % C
Oxygen 54.19 % O
Empirical Formula:
CaCO3·(H2O)
Environment:
Saline deposits in arid regions. Precipitates in the air scrubbers of air-conditioning plants.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1964
Locality:
Lake Issyk-Kul, Kirgizia, Russia.
Name Origin:
Named for its calcite composition with one molecule of water.
Physical Properties:
Color:
gray, gray white, white, light blue, or light green.
Density:
2.38
Habits:
Cryptocrystalline - Occurs as crystals too small to distinguish with the naked eye., Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite).,
Hardness:
2-3 - Gypsum-Calcite
Luminescence:
Fluorescent.
Luster:
Earthy (Dull)
Streak:
white
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