Fluorite
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/51035581380@N01">Deidre Woollard</a> (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameFluorite
Chemical FormulaCaF2
Mohs Hardness4
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect octahedral on {111}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.18
Colorsyellow, golden, colorless, purple, green, blue, pink, brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityEl Hammam Mine, SW of Meknes, Morocco
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesindustrial (flux, hydrofluoric acid), optical lenses, jewelry, collector
Associated Mineralsquartz, calcite, barite, galena, sphalerite
Raritycommon
Description
The image shows a specimen of yellow to golden fluorite crystals, some appearing cubic, intergrown with white to colorless quartz crystals.
Geological Context
Fluorite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with metallic ores, and can also be found in sedimentary rocks and pegmatites. It precipitates from hot aqueous solutions.
