The Mineral gaspeite

Gaspeite is a rare mineral, with a distinct yellowish-apple-green to bright green color. It has recently become popular among both mineral and gemstone collectors. Gaspeite specimens may be polished or sliced into slabs when sold on the market. It usually has brownish veins of rock running through the mineral, which are pronounced in cut or polished specimens.

Gaspeite belongs to the calcite group of minerals, a group of related carbonates that are isomorphous with one another. They are similar in many physical properties, and may partially or fully replace one another, forming a solid solution series. All members of the calcite group crystallize in the trigonal system, have perfect rhombohedral cleavage, and exhibit strong double refraction in transparent rhombohedrons.