mineral

Fluorite

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale; Color: Green, purple, blue, yellow, or banded; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Cubic or octahedral; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral.

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale
Color: Green, purple, blue, yellow, or banded
Luster: Vitreous

Identified July 1, 2026More mineral →

Explore Fluorite in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale; Color: Green, purple, blue, yellow, or banded; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Cubic or octahedral; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral.

Formation & geological history

Formed predominantly in hydrothermal veins where it is deposited from mineral-rich fluids at moderate to high temperatures. It is often found associated with lead and silver ores.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, as a flux in steel making, and in high-performance optical lenses. Polished specimens are popular for jewelry and metabolic healing collections.

Geological facts

Fluorite is often called 'the most colorful mineral in the world.' It exhibits fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light, which is where the term 'fluorescence' originated.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its characteristic octahedral cleavage and inability to scratch glass. Key locations include China, Mexico, South Africa, and the Illinois-Kentucky fluorspar district.