- Stone type
- Natural Optical Calcite (Iceland Spar)
- Weight
- 53g (4 pieces)
- Size
- 20-35mm
- Color
- Pale honey to cream
- Cut
- Rough (cleavage fragments)
- Clarity
- Translucent
- Treatment
- Untreated
- Origin
- China
- Hardness
- 3
4 Pieces Natural Yellow Optical Calcite Iceland Spar 53g #2
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A second set of four tabular optical calcite fragments in pale honey to cream tones, each with the characteristic flat cleavage faces and rectangular outline of the species. The pieces show consistent coloring across the group, with fine natural growth lines visible on the broader faces.
Optical calcite, also known as Iceland spar, is calcium carbonate grown in large, clear cleavage blocks. Its 'optical' name comes from strong birefringence, light passing through the crystal splits into two rays, so any line or image viewed through a clean section appears doubled, a property historically central to the study of polarized light and early optical instruments. Sourced from China and completely untreated. A consistent, well-matched little set for display or study.
Natural yellow optical calcite (Iceland spar), China - sold as a set of 4 pieces.
We ship worldwide from Sofia, Bulgaria. Every order is packed in a protective box with bubble wrap. Orders within Bulgaria are dispatched within 1-2 business days and international orders within 2-3 business days. Free shipping is applied automatically at checkout, and the threshold applies to the order value after any discounts.
Delivery within Bulgaria
- Delivered by Speedy, Econt or Box Now, to a courier office, a locker or your address.
- Fixed prices: Box Now locker €1.60 (free on orders from €25), Speedy office €3.20, Econt office or locker €4.00, Speedy to your address €4.50.
- Free shipping on orders over €50, with any courier and at any weight.
- Cash on delivery is available.
- Delivery normally takes 1-2 business days after dispatch.
- Hardness
- 3
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Durability
- Poor
- Soapy water
- Rinse only
- Ultrasonic
- Avoid
- Steam
- Avoid
About calcite
Calcite is calcium carbonate, 3 on the Mohs scale, with perfect cleavage in three directions: it breaks into neat rhomb-shaped pieces. Clear optical calcite (Iceland spar) shows strong double refraction: a line seen through it appears doubled.
Cleaning
Rinse it briefly in lukewarm water, loosen dirt with a soft brush and let it air-dry. Do not scrub the crystals. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners: calcite cracks easily along its cleavage. Keep it away from acids, even lemon juice and vinegar, which dissolve it.
Wear and storage
Store it padded and apart from other specimens, so its edges and faces do not chip or scratch. Lift it by its base or matrix, not by the crystals. It is softer than a steel knife, so keep metal tools and harder stones away from it.
Scale
True to scale: 20 – 35 mm
Shown next to a €1 coin (23.25 mm) in the exact ratio, so you can picture the real size. The outline is approximate.
