Fluorite
Image: Марися Лебідь (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameFluorite
Chemical FormulaCaF₂
Mohs Hardness4
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect octahedral (four directions)
Fracturesubconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.18
Colorspurple, blue, green, yellow, pink, colorless, brown, black
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityWorldwide, notable localities include Illinois (USA), Derbyshire (England), Mexico, China, Germany.
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesmetallurgical flux, hydrofluoric acid production, optical lenses, jewelry, collector specimens
Associated Mineralsquartz, calcite, barite, galena, sphalerite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a butterfly sculpture crafted from small, tumbled pieces of fluorite, showcasing its characteristic range of colors including purple, blue, green, and yellow.
Geological Context
Fluorite typically forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with metallic ores, and also occurs in pegmatites and some sedimentary rocks. It is a common gangue mineral.
