mineral

Fluorite

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale. Color: Green, purple, blue, or colorless (translucent). Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic. Cleavage: Perfect octahedral. Specific Gravity: 3.0 to 3.25.

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale
Color: Green, purple, blue, or colorless (translucent)
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with metallic ores like lead and silver. It crystallizes from hot cooling fluids deep within the Earth's crust across various geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used as a flux in steel making, in the production of hydrofluoric acid, in high-precision camera lenses, and widely as a decorative gemstone and collector specimen.

Geological facts

Fluorite was the first mineral researched for fluorescence, a phenomenon named after this mineral. It is often called 'the most colorful mineral in the world'.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its 4-way perfect cleavage that often forms octahedrons and its relative softness (can be scratched by a knife but not a copper penny). Common locations include China, Mexico, South Africa, and the USA (Illinois/Kentucky).