Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Calcite |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | CaCO3 |
| Mohs hardness | 3 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Locality | Weston, Wood County, Ohio |
| Form | Lot / parcel |
| You receive | The exact lot pictured |
About this specimen
This lot comes from the Pugh Quarry in Weston, Wood County, Ohio — one of the most famous calcite localities in the United States, known among collectors worldwide for producing sharp, lustrous honey-gold crystals in scalenohedral (“dogtooth”) and other classic calcite forms. Calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃) is common globally, but Pugh Quarry material stands out for its clarity and crystal quality, and specimens from the site have been actively collected and traded since the quarry opened decades ago.
These three pieces show sharp, lustrous scalenohedral and dogtooth crystal forms in the classic honey-gold color the locality is known for, ranging approximately 0.75–1.25″ each. At Mohs hardness 3, calcite is soft compared to quartz and should be handled gently — a soft, dry cloth is all it needs, and it’s best kept away from harder minerals in storage to avoid scratching.
A great starter lot for anyone building a calcite collection or looking for genuine, locality-documented Pugh Quarry material at an approachable price.
Inside the Calcite
One of the most common minerals on Earth — and one of the only ones you can prove is calcite with nothing but a coin and a drop of vinegar.
The story: Calcite crystallizes out of calcium-rich water almost anywhere conditions allow — caves, hydrothermal veins, sedimentary pockets — which is why it shows up in more shapes than almost any other mineral: sharp dogtooth points, flat nailhead rhombs, honey-gold masses, even the travertine that lines old hot springs. Every one of those forms is chemically the same mineral, just grown under different conditions.
Why collectors chase it: Calcite is the classic demonstration of birefringence — a clear piece laid over printed text splits the letters into a visible double image, a party trick that only a handful of minerals can do. Add in the sheer range of natural color and habit (the golden-toned Ohio pieces get their warmth from iron staining) and it’s an easy mineral to build a whole sub-collection around.
Care: This is the one to handle more carefully than most of the shop: at Mohs 3 it scratches under a fingernail-plus-effort, it splits cleanly along three flat planes if dropped (perfect rhombohedral cleavage), and it will visibly fizz on contact with vinegar or other mild acids — keep it away from acidic cleaners and store it apart from harder stones that could scratch it.
Calcite: the science
- Calcite has perfect rhombohedral cleavage: tap it hard and it breaks into slanted blocks along three directions.
- Clear calcite shows double refraction. Set it on printed text and you see the letters twice.
- It fizzes in weak acid, a classic field test. That is also why acid cleaners will damage it.
Go deeper
Want the full story on calcite: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is calcite?
Calcite is calcium carbonate, the mineral that makes up limestone, marble, cave formations, and many seashells. It crystallizes in more shapes than almost any other mineral.
Where was it found?
This lot comes from Weston, Wood County, Ohio. We list a locality whenever it is known, because where a mineral formed is part of its story and its value.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 3 on the Mohs scale. Calcite is soft (Mohs 3) and cleaves easily. Handle gently, never use vinegar or acid cleaners, and dust with a soft brush. Rinse only briefly in plain water.
Is this the exact lot I will receive?
Yes. This lot was photographed as a group, and you receive the pieces shown.
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