Calcite (Inventory)/Spar/dogtooth

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Dogtooth spar
Photo by William Tucker

Dogtooth spar is a crystaline speleothem usually of calcite. The shape is scalenohedral -- triangular faces. The size can vary from barely discernable to quite large. The color can vary too. Often only one end of the scalenodron may be visible giving each crystal a pyramid-like shape. Sometimes, both ends of the crystal can be seen forming a kind of faceted football shape. They can occur singularly or in clusters. They can often be found lining the insides of vugs or cavities and cracks but can also occur on the ceiling or walls directly. Since they formed when the cave was phreatic, they can be obscured by other formations such as flowstone, popcorn, crusts or staining. When looking for dogtooth spar, take the time to look into cracks and vugs in the walls, floor and ceiling. And don't forget to examine breakdown -- it may posess a vug containing dogtooth spar. Often when dogtooth spar is found, it can usually be found at nearby stations, too.

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