mineral

Fluorite (Green Fluorite on Host Rock)

Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride, CaF2)

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale; Color: Mint green to bluish-green; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific gravity: 3.175–3.184.

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale
Color: Mint green to bluish-green
Luster: Vitreous (glass-like)

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale; Color: Mint green to bluish-green; Luster: Vitreous (glass-like); Crystal structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific gravity: 3.175–3.184.

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal activity where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through fractures in limestone or other host rocks. Most specimens date from the Carboniferous to the late Cretaceous periods depending on the specific deposit.

Uses & applications

Used as a flux in steel and aluminum smelting, in the manufacturing of hydrofluoric acid, and for high-precision optical lenses. Gemstone quality pieces are popular in jewelry and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Fluorite gave its name to the phenomenon of 'fluorescence' because many specimens glow under UV light. It is often called 'the most colorful mineral in the world' due to the wide range of hues it can exhibit based on impurities.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct 4-way octahedral cleavage, glass-like luster, and relative softness (can be scratched by a knife but not a copper penny). It is commonly found in China, Mexico, South Africa, and the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District.

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