Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: CaMg(CO₃)₂ (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)
– Hardness: 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Trigonal
– Color Varieties: Typically colorless, white, gray, pink, or brown
– Major Localities: Italy, Switzerland, parts of the USA, and Canada
– Common Uses: Aggregate in construction, source of magnesium and lime, decorative stone, and refractory material

Introduction: Dolomite, also known as dolostone when in rock form, is a significant carbonate mineral that complements the Earth’s calcite-rich landscapes. It plays a pivotal role in sedimentary rock formations and has various industrial and environmental applications.

Formation: Dolomite forms through a diagenetic or hydrothermal process where magnesium-rich groundwater permeates the limestone, transforming calcite into dolomite in a process known as dolomitization. This mineral is also found in hydrothermal veins and is associated with sulfide ore locations.

Types and Colors: Dolomite generally maintains a consistent palette of muted colors but can vary slightly depending on impurities:
– White or Colorless: Pure dolomite
– Pink to Red: Often due to iron contamination
– Gray or Brown: Typically due to organic materials or other metallic impurities

Localities and Mining: Notable deposits of dolomite are found in the Italian Alps, the Tri-State district of North America, Ontario, Canada, and parts of Switzerland. These locales are renowned for their extensive dolomite mining operations supporting various industrial demands.

Applications: In the industrial sector, dolomite is used as a refractory and flux agent in iron, steel, and glass manufacture. It serves as a protective and pH buffering aggregate in environmental remediation and is a primary source of magnesium and calcium for agricultural treatments.