2006-12-20 17:16:23 · 4 answers · asked by Gideon 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Color changes are due to "impurities' of other elements that substitute for calcium in the crystal structure. For instance iron substituting for Calcium will cause a yellow to brown coloring depending on the amount od iron available.
2006-12-20 17:20:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Calcite’s color can be highly variable, but is most typically clear to white. Small amounts of impurities, however, can turn calcite shades of pink, purple, yellow, green, or black. Its streak, which is its color when ground into a powder, is colorless. Calcite typically exhibits a glassy (also called “vitreous”) luster, which in some cases can make it superficially resemble quartz. However, calcite’s obvious cleavage and low hardness easily distinguish it from quartz.
2006-12-21 01:28:37 · answer #2 · answered by cheasy123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although Cheasy's answer was good, I believe he missed the streak. If I remember correctly, calcite has a white streak.
2006-12-21 08:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colour is white or colourless, though shades of gray, red, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, or even black can occur when the mineral is charged with impurities.
2006-12-21 16:56:34 · answer #4 · answered by Geo06 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋