mineral

Rainbow Fluorite

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

Hardness: 4 Mohs; Color: Multi-colored bands (purple, green, blue, clear, yellow); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.18.

Hardness: 4 Mohs
Color: Multi-colored bands (purple, green, blue, clear, yellow)
Luster: Vitreous

Identified May 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 4 Mohs; Color: Multi-colored bands (purple, green, blue, clear, yellow); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.18.

Formation & geological history

Fluorite typically forms through hydrothermal activity in veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through fractures in limestone or other host rocks as they cool. It is commonly found in association with metallic ores.

Uses & applications

Used industrially as a flux in steel making, in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, and for high-performance optical lenses. In its polished form, it is highly valued by collectors and for ornamental/metaphysical items.

Geological facts

Fluorite is the mineral from which the term 'fluorescence' was derived, as many specimens glow under ultraviolet light. It is often called 'the most colorful mineral in the world'.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive color banding (rainbow), its characteristic 4 directions of perfect cleavage, and its relatively low hardness (can be scratched by a knife). Commonly found in China, Mexico, and the USA (Illinois).