mineral
Fluorite
Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 4, ranging in color from green and purple to clear and blue with a vitreous luster and octahedral crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 4, ranging in color from green and purple to clear and blue with a vitreous luster and octahedral crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary deposits through the precipitation of fluorine-rich solutions.
Uses & applications
Used in metallurgy as a flux, in the manufacture of optical lenses, and as a popular ornamental and collector gemstone.
Geological facts
Fluorite is famous for its strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon that gets its name from the mineral itself.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its characteristic lower hardness (scratched by glass) and perfect octahedral cleavage; commonly found in China, Mexico, and the USA.
