Calcite (CaCo3) is a highly versatile crystal that comes in many types of colors and crystallized forms. It is too soft to be actually used as jewelry for the long term, having only a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale. Its color ranges from colorless to orange, red, blue, green, down to black.
Calcite is common, and occurs worldwide. It is found as masses, microcrystalline crystals, concretions, fibrous, and singular crystals (scalenohedrons and rhombohedrons). It is also soluble in hydrochloric acid, and can be burned in high flame, breaking down into carbon dioxide and lime in the process. Some other variations of calcite are aragonite and vaterite which are less stable polymorphs that will alter into calcite when heated. The stable forms of calcite like limestone are among the most abundant minerals on earth, and often used in the construction industry.
This is a naturally occurring orange calcite that has been cut and shaped into a hexagonal crystal point.
A splendid example of calcite is the Chalk Cliffs of Dover, England. These limestone deposits may not seem like calcite, but they really are opaque, white calcite deposits in massive form, that have formed as a result of replacing the fossilized remains of sea living creatures, a long time ago.
It is quite common to find calcite scattered as druse, or as singular scalenohedrons inside amethyst cavities. They can also occur as replacement minerals in fossils. The most beautiful calcite is Iceland spar, which are noted for their clarity. Other locations noted for their calcite include Colorado in the US, Cumberland in England, parts of Italy, and the Harz in Germany. A famous calcite cavern in the US is the Snowy River Cave, which is supposedly the largest underground calcite cavern in the world, and recently made the news again for the discovery of water running through it after a long lapse of many years.
Calcite is strongly piezoelectric, and is a favorite meditation crystal of temple monks in the East. It is believed to enable the activation and expansion of all the chakras in the body, providing an uplifting energy that clears away stagnant and muddled energy. In this regard, calcite can be used in conjunction with quartz to amplify the energy of the etheric body during healing sessions.
Calcite is similar to fluorite in some aspects of its metaphysical properties. It provides a stimulating energy that goes straight to work on the chakras. This also means that it rapidly accumulates negative energy, but it should not be a problem with regular cleansing. Just try not to place calcite in sea salt solution, because salt tends to tarnish it (like fluorite too).
Disorders involving kidney stones and absorption of calcium can be treated with calcite. Calcite helps in strengthening the bones, while also aiding in detoxification of toxins through the kidneys and spleen. The various colored forms of calcite are useful for placement at the chakras of corresponding color.
