Fluorite

Fluorite is ‘the most colorful mineral in the world’ as it comes in a bouquet of sparkling colors accompanied by glossy luster. The word fluorite originated from the use of the mineral as a flux in steel and aluminum processing. Actually fluorite was referred to as fluorspar by the miners and is still famous today by that name.

Fluorite can also be used as a source of fluorine for hydrofluoric acid and fluorinated water. The well known element fluorine gets its name from fluorite. There are other uses of fluorite as well like its use in optical fields, its low hardness and good cleavage property reduces its use as a gemstone and is often misleadingly called as Green Quartz for ornamental carvings.

The mineral fluorite is famous for its myriad color hues. The wide range of colors ranges from purple, blue, green, yellow, pink, reddish, orange and colorless. Among all these colors purple is the most famous and desired one. The colorless variety does not go down well with the common masses but its rare availability makes it most sought after by the rock collectors.

Fluorite is sometimes fluorescent and like the normal light colors of the fluorite its fluorescent colors also come in a wide variety of colors. There are some specimens that give out a different color under long wave ultra violet light simultaneously. There is another unique luminescent property portrayed by fluorite that is thermo luminescence where it glows when heated.

Fluorite is a common occurrence in Cumberland, England; Spain; China; Brazil; Morocco; Bancroft, Ontario, Canada; Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico; Germany; Elmwood, Tennessee; Rosiclare, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Pugh Quarry and Wood County, Ohio; Nancy Hanks Mine, Colorado and many other USA localities as well as many other localities from around the world. The rich pastel shades of fluorites are pleasure for the eyes.