Calcite vs Fluorite

Property Calcite Fluorite
Rumus CaCO3 CaF2
Sistem Kristal Trigonal Cubic (Isometric)
Kelas Mineral 05 Carbonates and Nitrates 03 Halides
Kekerasan Mohs 3.0 4.0
Warna Colorless, white, yellow, orange, blue, green Purple, blue, green, yellow, colorless, pink
Kilap Vitreous Vitreous
Gores White White
Transparansi Transparent Transparent
Belahan Perfect rhombohedral {1011} Perfect octahedral {111}
Pecahan Conchoidal Conchoidal

Key Differences

  • Calcite (hardness 3) is scratched by a copper coin; fluorite (hardness 4) requires a steel knife to scratch.
  • Calcite reacts vigorously with dilute HCl; fluorite does not react with HCl.
  • Fluorite has perfect octahedral cleavage (4 directions); calcite has perfect rhombohedral cleavage (3 directions).
  • Fluorite (CaF2) is a halide; calcite (CaCO3) is a carbonate.
  • Fluorite fluoresces under UV light (phenomenon named after it); calcite rarely fluoresces.

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