Calcite
Calcite is one of the most prevalent minerals on earth. It can be found distributed throughout the earth on almost every continent. It is so prevalent that it makes up approximately 4 percent of the weight of earth's crust. Calcite also forms the basis of many rocks such as limestone and is the glue that holds together sandstone and shale.(Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery)
Calcite is part of the carbonate group of minerals. Carbonates consist mainly of carbon as the name would imply and oxygen. Calcite or calcium carbonate, is made up of calcium, carbon and oxygen. The chemical formula of calcite is Ca(CO3) meaning that the molecule of calcite consists of one atom each of calcium and carbon and three atoms of oxygen. This compound makes it easy for it to be broken down or dissolved by even weak acids. The hydrogen in the acid bonds with oxygen in the calcite to make water and the remaining carbon and oxygen combine to make carbon dioxide while the calcium dissolves in......
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