Calcite cleavage, Nantiago mine. (CWO)

Calcite cleavage, Nantiago mine. (CWO)

Calcite, CaCO3. Nantiago mine, Central Wales Orefield. A wedge of calcite displaying cleavage in three directions, parallel to the rhombohedral form. The two outer faces have a coating about 1mm. thick, grey in colour, and scaly in appearance, sometimes overlapping as in fish scales. Calcite is abundant as a gangue mineral at this mine.