Calcite

History: First described prior to 1959; name derived from "chalix" - the Greek word for lime.

Tests: Effervesces with cold, diluted hydrochloric acid.

Uses: Manufacturing of cement and mortars. 

Properties
Cleavage Perfect
Color Colorless and white when pure; can be almost any color due to impurities
Crystal Systems Trigonal
Fracture Subconchoidal
Hardness 3
Specific Gravity 2.71

Group

Carbonates

Composition

CaCO3