Calcita
Calcita is a mineral with formula CaCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Nye Corbu, Noragugume, Nuoro, Cerdeña, Italia and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Two white calcite spherules set within a vesicle in black basaltic matrix. The larger spherule measures 11 mm.
About Calcita
Calcite is a very common carbonate that crystallises in numerous habits, including botryoidal or spherulitic, as in this case. It forms by precipitation from hydrothermal solutions or as a secondary mineral in volcanic cavities, where slow cooling permits the characteristic radial-fibrous growth. It typically effervesces with acids and is fluorescent red or pink under ultraviolet light.
About the locality
A classic locality for this type of calcite—and for acicular aragonite. Vesicular cavities in basaltic rocks are spaces generated by gas bubbles during magma solidification.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0194
- Composition
- CaCO₃
- Name
- Calcita
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Basáltica
- Mine
- Nye Corbu
- District / Municipality
- Noragugume
- Province
- Nuoro
- Region
- Cerdeña
- Country
- Italia
- Size (cm)
- 7 x 4 x 5
- Weight
- 205 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From the Latin "calx" ('lime'), in allusion to its composition.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Andersonita — España
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul (Toralina)) — España
- Aragonito — Italia
- Aragonito — España
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul) — Italia