Why is calcite considered a mineral?

Question

Minerals are naturally occuring INORGANIC crystalline solids. Because calcite contains carbon is it not (technically) an organic 'chemical'? Or does the term 'inorganic' in this context refer only to whether or not it was formed by an organism? If so, on the other hand, why are, for example, certain foraminiferal tests referred to as being made of calcite?

Answer 1

All carbonate minerals contain carbon, but that does not make them Organic compounds. Organic compounds, by definition, are hydrocarbons (compounds of hydrogen and carbon) and their derivatives in which covalently bonded carbon is an essential constituent. Calcite, like other carbonate minerals, lacks this covalent bonding between carbon and hydrogen. Hence, all of them are essentially Inorganic.
Moreover any organic product cannot be called an Organic compound - it has to be hydrocarbons.
I doubt whether the tests of Foraminifers (and also the shells of molluscs etc.) should be described as composed of "calcite", although their composition is chemically equivalent to calcite. Basically calcite is a carbonate mineral, like siderite, dolomite, calamine etc which have inorganic sources and definite crystal structures.

Answer 2

Is Calcite A Mineral

Answer 3

It's true, the strict definition of mineral says that it's a crystaline, INORGANIC solid of restricted chemichal composition. It is also true that calcite CaCO3 contains the element carbon.

However you must be clear that although organic chemsitry is often called the chemistry of carbon, not all compounds that have carbon in their structure fall within the realm of study of organic chemistry. Rather organic chemsitry studies the chemsitry of compounds found in living organisms, plants, fungi, animals, etc. The ion carbonate CO3^2- is found in many inorganic compounds and is thus an inorganic component.

Answer 4

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: yet whilst the salt have lost his relish, wherewith shall or no longer it rather is salted? it is thenceforth stable for no longer something, yet to be solid out, and to be trodden under foot of adult men. Luke 14:34 Salt is stable: yet whilst the salt have lost his relish, wherewith shall or no longer it rather is pro?