The vatérite is a crystal of Carbonate of calcium.

Form crystals

The vatérite is appeared as rather squat needles, definitely more than those of the Aragonite, which are articulated, more than they macle NT, is in the form of " fleurs" , that is to say in the form of lenses. These forms " nettes" rise from Cristallisation S relatively slow, in pure medium. In faster crystallizations, or with " companions of cristallisation" the crystals " dégénèrent" until forming Spherulite S.

Formation & stability

The vatérite is an extremely unstable crystal, and it is solubilized rather easily (whereas calcite is solubilized little) to be recristallized in Calcite. Thus, the limestone layers (careers), do not contain any.

The vatérite crystallizes practically only under the conditions of laboratory (for example neutral solution, in a carefully degassed pure water of CaCl₂ & Na₂CO₃ to less 30°C, during a few hours) & its existence is short in the presence of water.

The vatérite, dry, is transformed only into calcite, at temperatures of about 300 with 400°C, with contraction of the volume of the Molécule of CaCO₃, of 62,2. 10^-30 m ³ to 60,75. 10^-30 m ³. With room temperature, the dry vatérite is stable at least 10 years.

Synonym

The vatérite bears also the name of " µ-CaCO₃"

Etymology

Name given in the honor of Abraham Vater

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