mineral

Green Fluorite

Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride, CaF2)

Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale. Color: Transparent to translucent green with potential purple zoning. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal structure: Cubic/Isometric. Cleavage: Perfect octahedral in four directions. Specific gravity: 3.175 to 3.56.

Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes, typically in veins within carbonate rocks or as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks like granite. It often occurs as a result of hot, fluorine-rich fluids reacting with calcium-rich rocks.

Uses & applications

Used as a flux in steel and aluminum smelting (fluorospar), in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, in high-precision camera lenses because of its low dispersion, and extensively in jewelry and lapidary for carvings and decorative stones.

Geological facts

Fluorite exhibits 'fluorescence,' a term named after the mineral itself because many specimens glow under ultraviolet light. It is one of the most colorful minerals in the world and is often called 'the most colorful mineral in the world.'

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its 4-directional cleavage (it often breaks into octahedrons) and its softness compared to quartz (it can be scratched by a steel knife). Commonly found in China, Mexico, South Africa, and the USA (Illinois, Kentucky).