mineral

Rainbow Fluorite

Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride, CaF2)

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale. Color: Green, purple, blue, and clear banding. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic (though here carved into a heart). Cleavage: Perfect octahedral.

Hardness: 4 on Mohs scale
Color: Green, purple, blue, and clear banding
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms primarily through hydrothermal activity in veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through crustal rocks. It can be found in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic environments.

Uses & applications

Used in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, as a flux in steelmaking/smelting, in optical lenses, and widely for jewelry, carvings, and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Fluorite was the original mineral used to describe the phenomenon of fluorescence, where a mineral glows under UV light. It is often called the most colorful mineral in the world.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive color banding, softness (can be scratched by a steel knife but not a copper penny), and octahedral cleavage. Common locations include China, Mexico, South Africa, and the USA (Illinois).