Calcite

Calcite is calcium carbonate and is found from transparent to translucent. It is a quite soft gem ranging at only 3 on the Mohs hardness scale. It can be easily scratched, so great care must be taken when working with this material. It is widely found worldwide including: Brazil, China, Mexico, US but due to the softness is rarely faceted and then only for collectors as normally to brittle for setting, so it cannot be used in jewelry. Calcite is a double refraction gemstone usually cut in cabochon, rarely faceted. Really attractive when faceted because it shows clearly its double refraction property. It can be found in different colors like: gray, black, red, green, blue, yellow depending upon the impurities present. The amber orange color calcite gemstone is the most attractive and desired variety from collectors.