Calcite is one of the most common minerals on earth. In fact, calcareous rocks cover 40% of the earth's surface (as calcite in the form of limestone) and are the principal component of 4% of the earth's crust and covers. Calcite is also one of the most widely distributed minerals. It is the principal component of chalk, marble, limestone and stalactites and stalagmites. Calcite is a calcium carbonate, which has been crystallized in hexagonal form. The name calcite comes from the Latin word calx, meaning 'lime.' Calcite is extremely soft - it rates as only a 3 on the hardness scale. Therefore it is not seen much in jewelry, though it is faceted for collectors, usually given step cuts.
More often, calcite is used for its many ornamental, commercial, and industrial uses. It is used as limestone to make fertilizers, cement and building blocks. Calcite is also used as marble to make sculptures, floor tiles, countertops, and lithographs, and was once used for making microscopes created to study rocks. Calcite is usually found in variations of white. It can also be found in various shades of gray, yellow, pink, brown, green, black, and blue. Some stones turn beautiful colors when placed under ultraviolet light. Some calcite is translucent and some is opaque. Translucent stones have a luster that ranges from vitreous to iridescent. Iceland Spar is a transparent and colorless variety of calcite that is cut en cabochon and displays a beautiful pink cat's eye effect. A calcite crystal displays a pearly luster on the sides, and a vitreous luster on the front. It is found as large transparent colorless complex crystals, or as rhombohedral prismatic crystals often twinned or intergrown with other minerals.
Italy is a great source of calcite. The finest marble available comes from Carrara, Italy. In fact, there are many locations around Italy where stunning translucent calcite crystals can be found. Pink and green calcite crystals specifically, occur around Germany, Cumberland, England, and the United States. Golden yellow and 
amber varieties of calcite occur in Joplin, Missouri and Pitcher, Oklahoma. In Joplin, crystals measuring up to three feet have been found. Calcite also occurs in Romania, Namibia, and Mexico. It is found in association with iron, manganese, zinc and other minerals.
Calcite has many different attributes for the mind and the body. Mentally, it is a stone that helps the wearer in everyday life, increasing awareness, empathy, compassion, inner strength, and motivation. It also helps promote a positive moral structure and outlook, and overall spiritual growth. Medically, calcite is said to be a remedy for bone and structural disorders and various types of cancers. Every different color of calcite has its own unique attribute. Amber calcite clears blocked energies, shows one his life purpose, and heals ulcers and arthritis. Blue calcite soothes and heals the throat, eases the ability to speak out, clears old life traumas, encourages spiritual growth, and soothes anger. Gray or metallic calcite, called bushy creek, helps one gain focus. White calcite, called dog tooth, also helps the wearer gain focus and cures any existing neurological imbalances. Green calcite detoxifies the mind and the body, ridding it of negative emotions and pain. Clear calcite, called optical calcite, encourages trust and rids the wearer of attachments. Orange calcite heals one who has suffered from emotional and physical abuse. Pink calcite helps the wearer who has gone through trauma by rebuilding his heart and teaching him to have hope and trust his inner child. Orange and red calcite, called red phantom, provide courage and a will to live. They can also heal life-threatening diseases such as cancer by strengthening the life force from within.
