方解石
Calcite is a carbonate mineral prized by collectors for its exceptional color range, with several world-class Chinese localities.
基本資料
| 化學式 | CaCO₃ |
|---|---|
| IMA 代號 | Cal |
| 施特龍茨分類 | 5.AB |
| 晶系 | 三方晶系 |
| 點群 | -3m |
| 稀有度 | 常見 |
| 收藏級別 | 櫃藏經典 |
Calcite is the workhorse of the carbonate world — common, but capable of producing some of the most spectacular crystal habits in mineralogy. Chinese calcites from Hunan and Hubei rank among the largest and most aesthetic ever recovered.
Notable varieties
- Iceland Spar (clear, double-refracting)
- Manganocalcite (Mn-bearing pink)
- Cobaltocalcite (deep magenta, Co-bearing)
- Stalactitic / banded onyx-marble
The Chinese angle
Daye and Tonglushan mines in Hubei have produced museum-quality golden scalenohedral calcite crystals exceeding 30 cm. The Shangbao Mine in Hunan is famous for translucent orange "tooth" calcites perched on pyrite or fluorite matrices.
Chinese calcite — localities and value
Beyond Daye and Tonglushan in Hubei, fine calcite comes from across China — golden scalenohedra, manganoan pink crystals, and water-clear rhombs. Many of the great Chinese sulfide specimens (galena, sphalerite, stibnite) sit on a bed of crystalline calcite, so calcite quality is often part of a combination piece’s appeal. For collectors, crystal form, transparency or colour, and lustre are the value drivers; calcite is soft (Mohs 3) and cleaves readily, so undamaged crystals are prized.
