Rocks, Minerals & Ores
Mineral Sequence in the Cady Mountains
Calcite scalenohedron
CaCO3 (Trigonal)Cady Mountains, Mojave Desert, CA
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Mineral Sequence in the Cady Mountains
In the Cady Mountains of California’s Mojave Desert, scalenohedral calcite crystals are a striking example of nature’s geometric artistry. These sharp, elongated crystals—often called "dogtooth spar"—form in vesicles, or gas bubble cavities, within ancient volcanic rock. As mineral-rich water flowed through these cavities, calcium carbonate began to crystallize into scalenohedrons, a form characterized by multiple triangular faces that taper to a point. The result is a dramatic, spear-like crystal that catches light and reveals the slow, patient work of geologic time. Calcite in this form can be translucent, milky, or even tinged with colors depending on trace elements. Beyond their visual appeal, these crystals provide clues about the mineral sequence and thermal conditions that shaped the Mojave landscape. Collectors and geologists alike value them as both beautiful specimens and important markers of the desert’s dynamic past.