Description
Size: 1.6″
Weight: 66g
Optical calcite, also known as Iceland spar, is a transparent variety of calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃) renowned for its exceptionally high birefringence. This means that when light enters the crystal, it splits into two separate rays that travel at different speeds and are polarized at right angles to each other. This unique property causes a double image of objects viewed through the crystal, a phenomenon that fascinated early scientists and is still used today in various optical instruments. Its perfect rhombohedral cleavage and often colorless appearance further contribute to its distinct optical properties.
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