Calcite is a white translucent glass that when held up to the light a soft golden aura can be seen. Calcite was initially deveoloped as glass for semi indirect lighting that would create a warm but not intense light. We must remember that electricity was new when this glass was developed and then need for lighting bowls and shades was immense with the electrification of the United States. So great a demand was for this glass that one of the salesman, Charlie Potter sold so much Calcite that he was nicknamed "Calcite Charlie". Today this glass is mostly found in light shades and together with either blue or gold aurene to create a striking combination. Calcite was also decorated. These pieces are hard to come by and command a high price. In "The Lost Carder Interview" by Philpot and Ericson, Carder discusses his use of Calcite as a "canvas" at which he put on gold, green, red, etc. decoration.
Sometimes colors and types of glass can be confusing or downright confounding. Carders "White" glasses can be hard to correctly name until one learns the differences in what makes each one unique. Even then, it is common for collectors and dealers of Steuben to have confusion over the nomenclature. I personally have even
seen Flint White called Alabaster in a museum collection.
