mineral

Fluorite (Fluorescent)

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 4.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Variable (white in normal light, blue under UV); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral

Hardness: 4
Color: Variable (white in normal light, blue under UV)
Luster: Vitreous

Identified May 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 4.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Variable (white in normal light, blue under UV); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral

Formation & geological history

Hydrothermal origin, typically found in veins formed at low to moderate temperatures as minerals precipitate from hot, mineral-rich fluids. Found in limestone units.

Uses & applications

Used as a flux in steelmaking, in the production of hydrofluoric acid, high-fidelity camera lenses, and as a popular collector's mineral.

Geological facts

The phenomenon of 'fluorescence' was actually named after fluorite in 1852 by George Gabriel Stokes. Not all fluorite glows; the effect is usually caused by trace impurities like europium.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its perfect cleavage and specific blue glow under a UV lamp. Commonly found in Illinois, Kentucky, and widespread locations in China and Mexico.