mineral
Fluorite
Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 4 on the Mohs scale, variable colors including purple and green, vitreous luster, and perfect octahedral cleavage.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Fluorite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale, variable colors including purple and green, vitreous luster, and perfect octahedral cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and as a replacement deposit in limestone, often crystallizing from fluorine-bearing solutions.
Uses & applications
Used widely in metallurgy as a flux, in the manufacturing of optical lenses, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Fluorite exhibits strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon named after the mineral itself.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic lower hardness (scratched by glass but scratches calcite) and cubic or octahedral crystal habits, commonly found in China, Mexico, and the UK.
