In ceramic use as a flux in glazes and body formulation for its calcium and magnesium properties. Also use in agriculture as soil conditioner for its slow release properties of magnesium needed in plants growth. Vermiculture to neutralize bedding acidity caused by fermenting food. Sprinkle on to feed as its fine particle sizes acts as grits enriching the vermicasts with calcium and magnesium too.
Physical Properties of Dolomite |
|
| Chemical Classification | Carbonate |
| Color | Colorless, white, pink, green, gray, brown, black |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect, rhombohedral, three directions |
| Mohs Hardness | 3.5 to 4 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.8 to 2.9 |
| Diagnostic Properties | Rhombohedral cleavage, powdered form effervesces weakly in dilute HCl, hardness |
| Chemical Composition | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal |
| Uses | Construction aggregate, cement manufacture, dimension stone, calcined to produce lime, sometimes an oil and gas reservoir, a source of magnesia for the chemical industry, agricultural soil treatments, metallurgical flux |
