Comparison · Minerals
Calcite vs Chrysoberyl
Calcite and Chrysoberyl are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Calcite and Chrysoberyl
- Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
- Chrysoberyl feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.65–3.8 versus 2.7 for Calcite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Chrysoberyl is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in clear, yellow, and green, but Calcite also comes in orange, blue, and pink and Chrysoberyl also comes in brown and red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Calcite is trigonal, Chrysoberyl is Orthorhombic.
Calcite vs Chrysoberyl properties
| Property | Calcite | Chrysoberyl |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3 | 8.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 3.65–3.8 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green, Pink | Yellow, Greenish-yellow, Green, Brown, Colorless, Color-change green/red (alexandrite) |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$100+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Chrysoberyl is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Chrysoberyl can reach $150 or more.
About Calcite
Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth, found in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. It's the primary component of limestone and marble.
About Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl is beryllium aluminum oxide, BeAl2O4, an orthorhombic mineral notable for exceptional hardness ranking just below corundum and diamond among natural gem minerals. Despite the beryl in its name, chrysoberyl is chemically unrelated to true beryl, which is a beryllium aluminum silicate rather than an oxide. Its most famous varieties, alexandrite and cat's eye chrysoberyl, are prized gemstones known respectively for dramatic color change and a sharp band of reflected light.
Calcite vs Chrysoberyl FAQ
Is Calcite the same as Chrysoberyl?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
How can you tell Calcite from Chrysoberyl?
Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Chrysoberyl feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.65–3.8 versus 2.7 for Calcite). Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Chrysoberyl is Transparent to translucent.
Which is harder, Calcite or Chrysoberyl?
Chrysoberyl is harder: Mohs 8.5 against Mohs 3 for Calcite.
Which is more valuable, Calcite or Chrysoberyl?
Chrysoberyl is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Chrysoberyl can reach $150 or more.
