Honey Calcite Rhombohedron
A finely polished honey calcite rhombohedron. Honey calcite is a type of orange calcite, coloured by hematite.
Calcite tends to be split into rhombohedral shapes because that's how the mineral breaks naturally.
Calcite has perfect rhombohedral cleavage, meaning the internal crystal structure has planes of weakness in three directions. When struck or cut along those planes, it breaks cleanly into rhombohedra rather than cubes or irregular fragments.
This piece has a silky-smooth texture, is wonderfully translucent, and cloudy zoning is visible when it's held up to the light. This comes from impurities and tiny inclusions that were incorporated as the crystal grew.
It also shows double refraction, although it's not as clear as it would be in a colourless piece. Under a bright light or natural daylight, hold the calcite over some text, and it will appear as double vision.
This honey calcite also shows iridescence when viewed from certain angles.
Being very soft, calcite must be handled carefully. It also scratches easily.
