Iceland Spar (Calcite) Gemstones

Calcite

  • Hardness

    3.0 on the Mohs scale.

  • Occurrence

    Worldwide.

  • Appearance

    Transparent and colorless. Iceland spar shows off calcite's birefractiveness very well. Iceland spar is used in the optics industry for its transparency and ability to split images. It can be used to determine the distance to an object viewed through it, and was used in the bombsights of world war II bombers. Because of calcite's softness, it should be used in jewelry only where it won't be subject to abuse, and great care should be taken with any calcite specimen. It is generally faceted only for collectors.

  • Enhancements

    Calcite is not enhanced.

    More information on gemstone enhancements.

Iceland Spar
Iceland Spar

CLC103
CLC103
150.00 ct., 'AA' Grade
27.0x23.0mm Crystal
Colorless
Slightly Included
[N] Not enhanced.
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Iceland Spar Calcite Display Only (sold)