Calcite vs Quartz

Property Calcite Quartz
화학식 CaCO3 SiO2
결정계 Trigonal Trigonal
광물 분류 05 Carbonates and Nitrates 09 Silicates
모스 경도 3.0 7.0
색상 Colorless, white, yellow, orange, blue, green Colorless, white, purple, pink, brown, black
광택 Vitreous Vitreous
조흔색 White White
투명도 Transparent Transparent
벽개 Perfect rhombohedral {1011} None
단구 Conchoidal Conchoidal

Key Differences

  • Calcite (hardness 3) is much softer than quartz (hardness 7) and can be scratched by a copper coin.
  • Calcite effervesces vigorously in dilute HCl; quartz does not react.
  • Calcite has perfect rhombohedral cleavage; quartz has no cleavage and breaks conchoidally.
  • Calcite is calcium carbonate (CaCO3); quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO2).
  • Calcite displays double refraction (birefringence) in Iceland spar crystals; quartz does not.

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