mineral
Purple fluorite (rough crystal fragment)
Fluorite, CaF₂
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectLikely translucent lavender-purple fluorite with a vitreous luster and uneven-to-cleavage fracture; fluorite is cubic, has perfect octahedral cleavage, and Mohs hardness 4. Color and appearance alone are not enough to confirm identification.
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Physical properties
Likely translucent lavender-purple fluorite with a vitreous luster and uneven-to-cleavage fracture; fluorite is cubic, has perfect octahedral cleavage, and Mohs hardness 4. Color and appearance alone are not enough to confirm identification.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and cavities, often alongside quartz, calcite, and sulfide minerals; deposits range widely in geological age.
Uses & applications
Used as a source of fluorine for chemical and metallurgical industries; transparent, well-formed crystals are collected and occasionally cut as gemstones.
Geological facts
Fluorite commonly fluoresces under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon named after the mineral.
Field identification & locations
Check for hardness near 4 and distinctive octahedral cleavage; common sources include China, Mexico, England, and the United States. The pictured fragment could be another purple mineral, so testing is needed for certainty.
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