Opal and Calcite Physical Properties
Tenacity
BrittleWalter Schumann
Brittle
Solubility
hot salt water
Soluble
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
1.98-2.25
2.67-2.73
Fracture
Conchoidal, Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references, Brittle
Conchoidal, ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009), ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009), Brittle, Conchoidal
Cleavage
None
Perfect on [10 1 1] three directions with angle of 74° 55
Chemical Composition
SiO2 · nH2O
CaCO 3Ulrich Henn and Claudio C.
Opal and Calcite Chemical Formula
While comparing Opal and Calcite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Opal and Calcite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Opal- SiO2 · nH2O
- Chemical formula of Calcite- CaCO 3Ulrich Henn and Claudio C.
Opal and Calcite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Opal and Calcite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Opal and Calcite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Opal is 2.67-2.73 whereas that of Calcite is 2.67-2.73.