A solution has been formulated which is capable of dissolving calcite from fluorapatite without causing damage to fluorapatite surfaces. This solution has a pH of 3.7 which is the point of maximum difference in the molar solubilities of calcite and fluorapatite. It was formulated to be just saturated with fluorapatite. Tho solution contains 0.100 <i>mo</i>/L^-1 of the disodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, 0.050 <i>mo</i>/L^-1 of calcium chloride, 1.5 × 10^-5 <i>mo</i>/L^-1 of sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 5 × 10^-6 <i>mo</i>/L^-1 of sodium fluoride, and a buffer mixture, 0.100 <i>mo</i>/L^-1 of sodium formate with enough free formic acid to achieve the pH required. Experimental determinations of dissolution rate and scanning electron micrographs of treated surfaces confirm that the solution is capable of dissolving calcite at a reasonable rate without damaging fluorapatite crystal surfaces.