mineral

Raw purple fluorite crystal (tentative)

Fluorite, calcium fluoride (CaF₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small translucent purple-gray fragment with glassy luster and likely cubic crystal habit; fluorite has Mohs hardness 4, perfect octahedral cleavage, and specific gravity about 3.18. The pale metallic-looking patches may be surface coating, matrix, or reflections, so identification from the image is uncertain.

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Fluorite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins and carbonate-hosted deposits, crystallizing from mineral-rich fluids during late-stage igneous or metamorphic activity; specimens range from Precambrian to recent geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used industrially as a flux in steelmaking and as a source of fluorine; transparent, well-formed crystals are collected and occasionally cut as gemstones, though they are relatively soft.

Geological facts

Purple fluorite color commonly results from trace impurities or radiation-related defects and may fade in strong sunlight. Its cubic crystals and octahedral cleavage are diagnostic.

Field identification & locations

Common localities include China, Mexico, England, Spain, and Illinois. Test cautiously: fluorite scratches with a steel knife but not a fingernail, and cleavage fragments are often octahedral; confirmation requires hardness, cleavage, or chemical testing.