Calcite vs Dolomite

Property Calcite Dolomite
Công thức CaCO3 CaMg(CO3)2
Hệ tinh thể Trigonal Trigonal
Phân loại khoáng vật 05 Carbonates and Nitrates 05 Carbonates and Nitrates
Độ cứng Mohs 3.0 3.5-4.0
Màu sắc Colorless, white, yellow, orange, blue, green Colorless, white, pink, gray, brown
Ánh Vitreous Vitreous
Màu vệt White White
Độ trong suốt Transparent Transparent
Cát khai Perfect rhombohedral {1011} Perfect rhombohedral {1011}
Vết vỡ Conchoidal Subconchoidal

Key Differences

  • Calcite reacts strongly with cold dilute HCl; dolomite only reacts when powdered.
  • Dolomite contains both calcium and magnesium (CaMg(CO3)2); calcite is pure CaCO3.
  • Dolomite crystals often show distinctive curved saddle-shaped (baroque) faces; calcite does not.
  • Calcite has a slightly lower specific gravity (2.71) than dolomite (2.84–2.86).
  • Calcite is trigonal with scalenohedral and rhombohedral habits; dolomite is also trigonal but rarely forms good scalenohedral crystals.

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