TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Calcita

Calcita is a mineral with formula CaCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from España and joined the Terrium collection in 1995.

Calcita from España — Terrium

Description

Rhombohedron of translucent calcite with extraordinary phosphorescence. Sparry habit, with perfect cleavage and well-defined faces. It shows green fluorescence under long- and short-wave UV, and a uniform green phosphorescence that persists for 5 to 10 seconds after the light is turned off. No matrix.

History of this specimen

The one Óscar had in his collection, which is very phosphorescent.

About Calcita

Such marked green-yellow phosphorescence is usually due to uranium traces in the crystal structure. It does not register on a Geiger counter.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0228
Composition
CaCO₃
Name
Calcita
Group
Carbonatos
Category
Lucimera
Country
España
Acquired
1995
Ex-collection
Oscar Herranz
Etymology
From the Latin «calx» («lime»), in allusion to its composition.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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