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Research Elements

Calcite

Compound · CaCO3

Elements

Calcium, Carbon, Oxygen

Crystal structure

One unit cell, the smallest block that repeats in every direction to build the whole crystal. Atoms on its faces, edges and corners are shared with the neighboring cells, and oxygens just outside it are drawn so every carbonate triangle is whole. Farther atoms are drawn fainter.
Cell: a = b = 4.991 Å, c = 17.062 Å, angles 90°, 90° and 120°
Space group: R -3 c :H

Atom positions from the Crystallography Open Database entry 2100992 (Maslen, E. N.; Streltsov, V. A.; Streltsova, N. R., 1993).

Where it's found

The main mineral in limestone, chalk and marble, and in cave formations like stalactites. Clear crystals, called Iceland spar, come from Helgustaðir in Iceland.

How it's mined

Limestone and marble are quarried in open pits by drilling and blasting, or cut into blocks with wire saws for building stone. The rock is crushed and screened for aggregate, ground fine for fillers, or burned in kilns to make lime and cement.