Calcite
Mineral
This mineral specimen was recovered from Spancil Hill, County Clare. The same colour as calcite, it is extremely variable but generally white or colourless or with light shades of yellow, orange, blue, pink, red, brown, green, black and grey. It is occasionally iridescent.
Calcite is a recrystallised form of pure limestone. Historically it was ground down at the Mill Road in Ennis to make lime for to spread on the land. It gets its name from 'chalix' the Greek word for lime, and is one of the most common minerals on the face of the earth.
Calcite can form rocks of considerable mass and constitutes a significant part of all three major rock types. It comprises 4% by weight of the earth's crust and is formed in many different geological environments.
Ref: 2000.21
