A tangerine calcite specimen holds a distinct charm in the world of minerals, owed to the rarity of its warm and vibrant tangerine hue within calcite deposits.

Tangerine calcite specimen photographed on white background. Australian Museum shop online

A very rare colour for Calcite, this is a beautifully warm and vibrant Tangerine Calcite Specimen - the perfect addition to any minerals collection.

Excavated in China, this exceptional piece showcases the delightful hues of orange found in this rare variety of calcite. With a rating of 3 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, it offers a balance between beauty and durability.

Calcite, typically colourless, can take on various colours due to natural impurities and unique geological processes.

This captivating tangerine colour occurs from the presence of manganese ions within the crystal lattice. As calcite forms in mineral-rich environments, manganese ions replace calcium in the crystal structure, resulting in a striking range of fiery orange, creamy corals and gentle tangerine colours.

Collectors and enthusiasts appreciate tangerine calcite not only for its unique beauty but also for the geological significance it represents, making it a noteworthy addition to any mineral collection.

Click through to the other specimens in our online-only collection:

Quartz generator with inclusions. Photographed on white background. Australian Museum shop online

Quartz generator with inclusions

 

Lodalite quartz with inclusions photographed on white background. Australian Museum shop online

Lodalite generator with inclusions

Jade green Fluorite specimen photographed on white background. Australian Museum shop online

Fluorite Specimen

Fossilised shark tooth, miocene period. photographed on white background. Australian Museum shop online

Fossilised Shark Tooth, Miocene epoch

Quartz with Chlorite and Hematite inclusions photographed on white background. Australian Museum Shop online

Quartz with hematite and chlorite inclusions

FRamed fossil fish specimen pharaeodus sp

Fossilised fish, Phareodus Sp.

Agate slice butterfly wings

Agate Slice butterfly wings

Prehnite carved possum. Photographed on white background. Australian Museum shop online

Prehnite carved possum