Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/47445767@N05">James St. John</a> (CC BY 2.0)
cubiccommonHalides
Fluorite
CaF2
This specimen features well-formed cubic crystals of deep purple and dark yellow fluorite, displaying a characteristic vitreous luster.
Fluorite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
4Crystal System
cubicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect octahedral (four directions)Fracture
subconchoidalSpecific Gravity
3.18Colors
purple, yellow, green, blue, pink, colorless, black, brownTransparency
transparentType Locality
Crystal Victory Mine, near Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, USAMineral Group
HalidesUses
flux in steelmaking, hydrofluoric acid production, optical lenses, ornamental stone, collector's specimensAssociated Minerals
quartz, calcite, barite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyriteRarity
commonGeological Context
Fluorite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with metallic ore deposits, and can also be found in sedimentary rocks and pegmatites.
