Comparison · Minerals
Calcite vs Hauyne
Calcite and Hauyne are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Hauyne is harder (Mohs 5.5–6) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Hauyne 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 Hauyne
- Hauyne is harder (Mohs 5.5–6) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Hauyne will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
- Streak color differs: Calcite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Hauyne leaves pale blue.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Hauyne is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in blue and green, but Calcite also comes in clear, yellow, orange, and pink and Hauyne also comes in white.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Calcite is trigonal, Hauyne is Isometric.
Calcite vs Hauyne properties
| Property | Calcite | Hauyne |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3 | 5.5–6 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous to greasy |
| Streak | White | Pale blue |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 2.4–2.5 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | Isometric |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green, Pink | Blue, Sky blue, Greenish blue, White |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$100+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Hauyne is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Hauyne 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 Hauyne
Hauyne, also spelled haüyne, is a sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate belonging to the feldspathoid group, crystallizing in the cubic system. Its vivid blue color closely resembles lazurite, the mineral primarily responsible for lapis lazuli's color, though the two form in entirely different geologic settings. It typically occurs as small, well-formed dodecahedral crystals embedded in silica-poor volcanic rock.
Calcite vs Hauyne FAQ
Is Calcite the same as Hauyne?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Hauyne is harder (Mohs 5.5–6) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Hauyne 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 Hauyne?
Hauyne is harder (Mohs 5.5–6) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Hauyne will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Streak color differs: Calcite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Hauyne leaves pale blue. Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Hauyne is Transparent to translucent.
Which is harder, Calcite or Hauyne?
Hauyne is harder: Mohs 5.5–6 against Mohs 3 for Calcite.
Which is more valuable, Calcite or Hauyne?
Hauyne is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Hauyne can reach $150 or more.
