TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Calcita

Calcita is a mineral with formula CaCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Mina La Araña, Málaga-Este, Málaga, Andalucía, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Calcita from Mina La Araña, Málaga-Este, Málaga, Andalucía, España — Terrium

Description

Honey-coloured calcite aggregate with a "Transylvania Castle" form or a lateral "cresta montis" ridge. Very intense bluish-white fluorescence.

About Calcita

Calcite is a calcium carbonate which in this specimen shows a honey-yellow tone, probably linked to micro-inclusions or growth defects. It shows an exceptional luminescent response: under long-wave UV light it emits a very strong bluish-white fluorescence, a phenomenon common in specimens from karst environments with specific mineral activators.

About the locality

The La Araña quarries, on the eastern coast of Málaga, lie on intensely fractured Triassic limestones. The designation of the area as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in 2013, due to its archaeological finds, has completely restricted mineral collecting.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0312
Composition
CaCO₃
Name
Calcita
Group
Carbonatos
Category
Lucimera
Mine
Mina La Araña
District / Municipality
Málaga-Este
Province
Málaga
Region
Andalucía
Country
España
Acquired
2025
Ex-collection
Amelia Molina
Etymology
From Latin "calx", lime, the etymological root common to calcite, limestone and calcium.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

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