mineral
Tumbled fluorite (likely)
Fluorite, calcium fluoride (CaF₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPolished, translucent blue-green specimen with darker purple/blue banding. Mohs hardness 4; vitreous luster; cubic crystal structure and perfect octahedral cleavage, though polishing obscures cleavage; specific gravity about 3.18.
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Physical properties
Polished, translucent blue-green specimen with darker purple/blue banding. Mohs hardness 4; vitreous luster; cubic crystal structure and perfect octahedral cleavage, though polishing obscures cleavage; specific gravity about 3.18.
Formation & geological history
Fluorite forms when hot, mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids fill fractures and cavities, commonly with quartz, calcite, and sulfide ores. Deposits range from Precambrian to recent geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used industrially as a flux in steel and aluminum production and as a fluorine source; transparent colorful pieces are collected or cut as decorative stones, though they are relatively soft for jewelry.
Geological facts
Distinct color zoning and cubic crystal habit are characteristic; blue-green fluorite is often associated with deposits in China, Mexico, England, and the United States.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its strong zoning, glassy luster, softness, and octahedral cleavage; it can be scratched by a steel knife. The exact identification is uncertain from an image alone, as banded chalcedony or glass can look similar.
