mineral

Tumbled Fluorite

Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride, CaF2)

Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale. Color: Violet to deep purple with translucent cloudy zones and soft color banding. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Isometric/cubic. Cleavage: Perfect octahedral in four directions. Specific Gravity: 3.18.

Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal activity in veins, often in limestone, granite, or alongside metallic ores. It precipitates from fluorine-rich hydrothermal fluids at moderate to high temperatures.

Uses & applications

Widely used as a lapidary specimen for tumbled stones, decorative carvings, and jewelry (beads/pendants). In industry, low-grade fluorite (fluorspar) is used as a flux in steelmaking and to produce hydrofluoric acid.

Geological facts

Fluorite gave its name to the phenomenon of fluorescence, as many specimens glow strongly under ultraviolet light. It is available in almost every color of the rainbow, though purple and green are the most iconic.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its softness (can be scratched by a steel nail/knife, unlike quartz or amethyst), characteristic purple color zoning, and relatively high density. Common origins include Mexico, China, South Africa, and the USA.