Calcite has applications as which of the following?

• A. Building stone, road aggregate, and Portland cement
• B. Jewelry and pigment
• C. Electrical insulator
• D. Fuel additive

Answer: (A)

Calcite is calcium carbonate, a very common mineral in limestone and marble. Its abundance and composition make it a fundamental material for construction. As building stone, limestone and marble are quarried and cut into blocks, tiles, and decorative features. For road materials, crushed limestone serves as a road aggregate because it compacts well and provides a stable, well-drained base. In Portland cement production, limestone is the main raw material; when heated, calcite decomposes to calcium oxide, which later forms the cement clinker that binds with other minerals to produce cement. While calcite can appear in decorative stone or pigments, it is not the typical choice for electrical insulation or fuel additives.