mineral

Green Fluorite

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale; Color: Ranges from light to deep emerald green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Isometric (often forming cubic or octahedral shapes); Cleavage: Perfect octahedral in four directions; Specific Gravity: 3.175–3.184.

Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale
Color: Ranges from light to deep emerald green
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified February 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Fluorite typically forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with metallic ores like lead and silver. It can also be found in the cavities of sedimentary rocks like limestone. Its formation can occur across various geological ages, following tectonic activity that allows mineral-rich fluids to circulate.

Uses & applications

Used industrially as a flux for smelting and in the production of certain glasses and enamels. In the lapidary world, it is used for ornamental carvings and jewelry, though its softness limits it to low-wear items. High-purity specimens are used to make specialized optical lenses.

Geological facts

Fluorite is the source of the word 'fluorescence' because many specimens glow under ultraviolet light. It is often called 'the most colorful mineral in the world' due to the huge variety of colors it can display based on impurities in the crystal lattice.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its characteristic 4-way cleavage, octahedral crystal habit, and its ability to be scratched by a steel knife but not a copper penny. Common locations include China, Mexico, South Africa, and the 'Fluorite Belt' in Illinois/Kentucky, USA.