What is Fluorite?
Fluorite is a beautiful, cubic shaped crystal that appears in a variety of colors, but most often in purple, green, blue and yellow. The purest Fluorite is actually colorless. However, the crystal’s impurities react in the strangest manner, causing the most amazing colors to appear, even earning it the reputation of being the ‘most colorful crystal in the world!’
The main component of Fluorite is Calcium Fluoride found mostly in the form of vein growths in rocks, it is widely used as an industrial mineral in the chemical and ceramic industries as it has a very low melting point. Further, superior quality Fluorite is one of the main elements in the manufacture of optical lenses for telescopes, microscopes and cameras.
Fluorospar is the name it is known by in these industries, whereas Fluorite is the gemological reference term.
Where is Fluorite Found?
Fluorite is mined in many countries around the world such as Canada, Columbia, Peru, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, South Africa, Slovakia, Russia, Pakistan, Namibia, Myanmar, Morocco, Korea, Italy, Germany, France, the Czeck Republic, China, Austria and Argentina.
Fluorite Energy
In ancient times, people believed that Fluorite was the home of the rainbow, as it embodied so many glorious colors, and it was used as protection from evil spirits.
Even today, it is said to be able to balance one’s emotions, enabling sensible thoughts and actions.
Fluorite Jewelry
As a very soft gemstone, Fluorite requires very careful handling. Your Fluorite earrings, pendants and necklaces need just warm soapy water and a soft brush to maintain them in brilliant order for many decades. Avoid dropping it on hard surfaces. It can crack easily.
The Ashanti Jewels collections offer you some beautiful pieces of 925 Sterling Silver jewelry with Fluorite gemstones to endorse your personal style and complement that much-loved attire. They also make charming and yet affordable gifts.
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Crystallography
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Isometric. Usually in good crystals, cubes, octahedra, and other forms, often twinned; also massive, granular.
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Colors
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An extremely wide range is represented: colorless, purple (various shades), green (various shades), blue-green, blue, yellow to orange, brown (various shades), white, pink, red, brownish red, pinkish red, brownish black, black. Crystals are frequently color zoned.
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Luster
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Vitreous
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Fracture
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Quite brittle.
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Hardness
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4
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Specific Gravity
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3.180; massive material with impurities 3.0-3.25.
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Cleavage
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Perfect 4 directions. Cleavage is octahedral, very easy.
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Dispersion
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0.007 (very low)
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Luminescence
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See "Identifying Characteristics" below.
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Transparency
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Opaque to transparent
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Absorption Spectrum
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U and rare earths are often present; spectrum reflects their presence. Spectra usually vague, however. Green material has lines at 6340, 6100, 5820, and 4450 and a broad band at 4270.
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Phenomena
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Color change (Very rare).
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Formula
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CaF2
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Optics
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Isotropic; N = 1.432-1.434.
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Etymology
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From the Latin fluere, “to flow,” because it melts easily and is used as a flux in smelting.
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Occurrence
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In hydrothermal deposits; sedimentary rocks; hot springs; rarely in pegmatites; usually associated with sulfide ore deposits.
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Inclusions
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Mineral crystals, cavities (single, two, and/or three phase), healed fractures.
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