Optical Calcite Specimen

Optical Calcite Specimen

Optical calcite, also known as Iceland spar, is a fascinating form of calcite that exhibits unique optical properties due to its crystal structure. 

Optical calcite is primarily found in various locations around the world, including Iceland (from which it gets one of its names), Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Brazil. It forms in sedimentary and metamorphic environments where calcium-rich fluids interact with other minerals over long periods.

The optical properties of calcite have fascinated humans for centuries. Iceland spar was famously used by early navigators and Vikings to navigate because of its ability to polarize light. The Viking sunstones, which are said to have been used for navigation, were likely made from optical calcite. In the scientific realm, optical calcite played a significant role in the study of optics and crystallography, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Optical calcite typically appears as transparent to translucent rhombohedral crystals. Its most distinguishing feature is its double-refraction property, which means that light passing through the crystal is split into two separate rays. This effect is especially noticeable when looking through a clear piece of optical calcite at an object, causing a doubling or shifting of the image. Some specimens may also exhibit color zoning or fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

Overall, optical calcite is prized both for its scientific significance and its aesthetic appeal, making it a sought-after mineral specimen among collectors and a fascinating subject for study in various fields.

Chakra: All
Zodiac: Leo 
Vibrational Number: 3
Mohs Scale: 3-4

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