mineral

Green Fluorite

Calcium fluoride (CaF2)

Mohs hardness: 4; Color: Green to translucent white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific gravity: 3.175-3.184

Hardness: 4
Color: Green to translucent white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Mohs hardness: 4; Color: Green to translucent white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific gravity: 3.175-3.184

Formation & geological history

Fluorite typically forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with metallic ores like lead and zinc. It precipitates from hot, mineral-rich fluids circulating through the Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Used as a flux in steel making, in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, in high-performance telescopes and camera lenses, and widely used as a gemstone or ornamental stone for collectors.

Geological facts

Fluorite is famous for its wide range of colors and its property of fluorescence under UV light, from which the term 'fluorescence' was derived. It is sometimes called 'the most colorful mineral in the world'.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its octahedral cleavage, hardness of 4 (can be scratched by glass or a knife), and vitreous luster. It is common in mining districts worldwide, such as in Illinois, USA, or China.