The precipitation of calcite is enhanced right at the point were the water flows out of the pool causing a dam to form. Small pools can eventually become large enough and deep enough to swim in. On horizontal ceilings, the water droplet is pulled off of the ceiling by gravity and stalactites are formed. On slanting ceilings, the water droplets move down along the ceiling depositing a small ridge of calcite. As the water continues to flow down the same path, the calcite ridge grows out from the wall forming a ribbon.
Water is forced out of a crack in the cave wall.
As the water is forced out of these cracks, the calcite crystallizes out of the water and a plate begins to grow away from the wall. As water continues to flow from the crack, the minerals are deposited on the edge of the plate causing the plate to grow farther and farther away from the wall. They are hollow and are the same diameter at the top as they are at the bottom. As a bead of water enters the cave, the minerals will be deposited on the outside of the bead of water in a ring. This process occurs over and over, giving the stalactite a hollow center with the same diameter from top to bottom-like a roll of lifesavers candy.