is a strange but interesting igneous rock. It consists mainly of the carbonates, calcite and / or dolomite. It is frequently associated with alkaline intrusions and often the source of rare minerals. The frequent association of carbonatites with alkaline intrusions lays in the fact that alkaline magmas are capable of dissolving carbondioxide and acidic magmas are not. Carbonatites occur for instance in Kovdor, Vuoryyarvi, Khibiny, Afrikanda and numrous other localities

Igneous rock composed of 80% carbonate crystals (including calcite). It often contains minerals of economic value.

an intrusive rock rich in carbonates

an igneous rock composed mostly of dolomite and calcite

Carbonatites (IPA: ) are intrusive or extrusive igneous rocks defined by mineralogy that comprises more than 50 volume-% carbonate minerals. Carbonatites may be confused with marble, and may require geochemical verification.