Fluorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Jamison K. Brizendine
About Fluorite
Formula:
CaF2
As a Commodity:
Colour:
Fluorite displays a wide variety of colour including (but not exclusively): purple, lilac, golden-yellow, green, colourless, blue, pink, champagne, brown, red and black.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.175 - 3.56
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1797 by Carlo Antonio Galeani Napione from the Latin, fluere = "to flow" (for its use as a flux). The term fluorescence is derived from fluorite, which will often markedly exhibit this effect. The element fluorine also derives its name from fluorite, a major source of the element.
Fluorite is found as a common gangue mineral in hydrothermal veins, especially those containing lead and zinc minerals. It is also found in some greisens, granites, pegmatites and high-temperature veins, and as a component of some marbles and other metamorphic rocks.
"(...) the F−…F− interaction has properties associated with the recently recognized type of interaction referred to as 'charge-shift' bonding".(...) integrated experimental charges for Ca2+ and F− ions are +1.40 e and −0.70 e, respectively (Stachowicz et al., 2017).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Fluorite.
"(...) the F−…F− interaction has properties associated with the recently recognized type of interaction referred to as 'charge-shift' bonding".(...) integrated experimental charges for Ca2+ and F− ions are +1.40 e and −0.70 e, respectively (Stachowicz et al., 2017).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Fluorite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1576
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1576:5
Similar Names
| Fullerite | C60 |
IMA Classification of Fluorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Fluorite
3.AB.25
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
Dana 7th ed.:
9.2.1.1
9.2.1.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
8.4.7
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Flr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Fl | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Fl | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Fl | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Fl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Fluorite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Dull when massive
Colour:
Fluorite displays a wide variety of colour including (but not exclusively): purple, lilac, golden-yellow, green, colourless, blue, pink, champagne, brown, red and black.
Comment:
Colour depends on impurity ions and irradiation.
diverse color appearances under different light sources: purple–blue under daylight and reddish-purple under incandescent light.
diverse color appearances under different light sources: purple–blue under daylight and reddish-purple under incandescent light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Mohs hardness reference species
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {111}, very easy.
Perfect on {111}, very easy.
Parting:
Indistinct parting or cleavage on {011} at times.
Fracture:
Splintery, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.175 - 3.56 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.181 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Normal range 3.175-3.184, increasing density with rare earth element substitution.
Optical Data of Fluorite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.433 - 1.448
Birefringence:
None
Surface Relief:
High (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Dispersion:
None
Comments:
Frequently exhibits very weak anomalous birefringence, especially in cleaved, cut or pressed crystals. The birefringence is usually distributed in lamellae parallel to [001].
May show alexandrite effect.
May show alexandrite effect.
Chemistry of Fluorite
Mindat Formula:
CaF2
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Common Impurities:
Y,Ce,Si,Al,Fe,Mg,Eu,Sm,O,Cl,organics
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Phanerozoic : 321 ± 22 Ma to 20.8 Ma - based on 8 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
| Sample ID | Recorded age | Geologic Time | Dating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20.8 Ma | Miocene | FT |
| 2 | 30.2 Ma | Oligocene | FT |
| 3 | 45.2 Ma | Eocene | FT |
| 4 | 122 ± 24 Ma | Early/Lower Cretaceous | Sm-Nd isochron |
| 5 | 130 ± 20 Ma | Early/Lower Cretaceous | Rb-Sr |
| 6 | 321 ± 22 Ma | Pennsylvanian | Sm-Nd |
Sample references:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| F | 33.1 % | 39.0 % |
| CO2 | 2.9 % | 1.0 % |
| SiO3 | 0.4 % | 2.6 % |
| P2O5 | 0.06 % | 0.04 % |
| CaO | 35.1 % | 44.50 % |
| Na2O | 0.16 % | 0.25 % |
| K2O | 0.05 % | 0.05 % |
| Y2O3 | 6.49 % | 13.99 % |
| La2O3 | 6.37 % | 0.46 % |
| CeO | 14.71 % | 1.52 % |
| Pr3O2 | 1.21 % | 0.20 % |
| Nd2O3 | 5.68 % | 1.19 % |
| Sm2O3 | 1.33 % | 0.57 % |
| Gd2O3 | 1.29 % | 1.19 % |
| Tb2O3 | 0.16 % | |
| Dy2O3 | 1.21 % | 1.30 % |
| Ho2O3 | 0.20 % | |
| Er2O3 | 0.77 % | 0.95 % |
| Tm2O3 | 0.12 % | |
| Yb2O3 | 0.69 % | 0.73 % |
| Total: | 112 % | 109.54 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hundholmen, Narvik, Nordland, Norway | Analysis by Andreassen and constructor Solem, Department of Chemistry, Norges Geologiske Unde | |
| 2 | Nedre Eivollen, Eivollen, Drag, Hamarøy, Nordland, Norway |
Crystallography of Fluorite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.4626 Å
Unit Cell V:
163.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Fluorite has seven main crystal forms:
the most common Are the cube {100}, octahedron {111} and dodecahedron {110}; these forms having fixed Miller indices);
and the tetrahexahedron {hk0}, trapezohedron {h11}, trisoctahedron {hhl} and hexoctahedron {hkl} (less common to quite rare crystal forms, having variable Miller indices).
Combinations of two or more of these forms are common. The cuboctahedron (combined cube and octahedron) is less common than the combination of a cube and a docecahedron, the cubododecahedron.
The faces of some crystal forms are more easily etched by nature than other faces, although this also depends on other parameters, and so none of the forms will always be smooth. Not all crystal faces will always be present, and sometimes certain faces are more developed than others, even within the same crystal form. Consequently, elongated crystals of fluorite have been observed.
Crystals distorted at times by unequal development of faces, as of {013}. Often markedly composite; minute cubes aggregated to form an octahedron at times or as an overgrowth of crystals upon the corners of an earlier formed crystal of differing habit. Massive; compact; earthy, columnar (rare), or in globular aggregates; botryoidal (rare).
For the Goldschmidt images we currently show the following habits with the crystallographic forms denoted here:
no. 1 : a cube {100}
no. 2 : an octahedron {111}
no. 3 : a dodecahedron {110}
no. 12: a cube {100}, modified by a hexoctahedron {421}
no. 45: a cube {100}, highly modified by a dodecahedron {110}, two tetrahexahedrons: {210} and {310}, and a trapezohedron {211}
no. 66: an octahedron {111}, modified by a dodecahedron {110} and a trisoctahedron {221}
the most common Are the cube {100}, octahedron {111} and dodecahedron {110}; these forms having fixed Miller indices);
and the tetrahexahedron {hk0}, trapezohedron {h11}, trisoctahedron {hhl} and hexoctahedron {hkl} (less common to quite rare crystal forms, having variable Miller indices).
Combinations of two or more of these forms are common. The cuboctahedron (combined cube and octahedron) is less common than the combination of a cube and a docecahedron, the cubododecahedron.
The faces of some crystal forms are more easily etched by nature than other faces, although this also depends on other parameters, and so none of the forms will always be smooth. Not all crystal faces will always be present, and sometimes certain faces are more developed than others, even within the same crystal form. Consequently, elongated crystals of fluorite have been observed.
Crystals distorted at times by unequal development of faces, as of {013}. Often markedly composite; minute cubes aggregated to form an octahedron at times or as an overgrowth of crystals upon the corners of an earlier formed crystal of differing habit. Massive; compact; earthy, columnar (rare), or in globular aggregates; botryoidal (rare).
For the Goldschmidt images we currently show the following habits with the crystallographic forms denoted here:
no. 1 : a cube {100}
no. 2 : an octahedron {111}
no. 3 : a dodecahedron {110}
no. 12: a cube {100}, modified by a hexoctahedron {421}
no. 45: a cube {100}, highly modified by a dodecahedron {110}, two tetrahexahedrons: {210} and {310}, and a trapezohedron {211}
no. 66: an octahedron {111}, modified by a dodecahedron {110} and a trisoctahedron {221}
Twinning:
On {111}, usually as interpenetrating cubes (e.g., Strzegom, Poland), but also as contact spinel twins (e.g. Naica, Mexico and Chumar Bakhoor, Pakistan).
Crystallographic forms of Fluorite
Crystal Atlas:
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Fluorite no.1 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Fluorite no.2 - {111} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Fluorite no.3 - {110} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Fluorite no.12 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Fluorite no.45 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Fluorite no.66 - {110} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0008645 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0013161 | Fluorite | Cheetham A, Fender B, Cooper M (1971) Defect structure of calcium fluoride containing excess anions: I. Bragg scattering _cod_database_code 1000043 Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics 4 3107-3121 | 1971 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0011683 | Fluorite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Fluorite structure Crystal Structures 1 239-444 | 1963 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008646 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 0.95 | 293 | ||
| 0008647 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 3.31 | 293 | ||
| 0008648 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 3.96 | 293 | ||
| 0008649 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 5.54 | 293 | ||
| 0008650 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 6.65 | 293 | ||
| 0008651 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 6.95 | 293 | ||
| 0008652 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 7.48 | 293 | ||
| 0008653 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 8.15 | 293 | ||
| 0008654 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 8.35 | 293 | ||
| 0008655 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 8.95 | 293 | ||
| 0008656 | Fluorite | Speziale S, Duffy T S (2002) Single-crystal elastic constants of fluorite (CaF2) to 9.3 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 465-472 | 2002 | 9.31 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Fluorite
Epitaxial Minerals:
| 'Ferberite' | FeWO4 |
| 'Pyrite' | FeS2 |
| 'Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 'Scheelite' | Ca(WO4) |
| 'Siderite' | FeCO3 |
Epitaxy Comments:
Siderite upon fluorite with siderite [0001] parallel to fluorite [111].
Pyrite upon fluorite with parallel axes.
Quartz upon fluorite.
Discrete crystals of fluorite on ferberite from Yaogangxian mine, China (White and Richards, 2010).
Discrete crystals of fluorite on the (111) face of scheelite from the Tae Hwa mine, Korea (So et al. 1983).
Pyrite upon fluorite with parallel axes.
Quartz upon fluorite.
Discrete crystals of fluorite on ferberite from Yaogangxian mine, China (White and Richards, 2010).
Discrete crystals of fluorite on the (111) face of scheelite from the Tae Hwa mine, Korea (So et al. 1983).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.16 Å | (90) |
| 1.932 Å | (100) |
| 1.647 Å | (30) |
| 1.366 Å | (10) |
| 1.253 Å | (10) |
| 1.115 Å | (20) |
| 1.051 Å | (10) |
| 0.684 Å | (10) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
| 19 : Granitic intrusive rocks | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins; cavities in sedimentary rocks; as a cementing material in sandstones; as hot springs deposits.
Type Occurrence of Fluorite
Synonyms of Fluorite
Other Language Names for Fluorite
Arabic:فلورايت
Asturian:Fluorita
Basque:Fluorita
Belarusian:Флюарыт
Bosnian:Fluorit
Breton:Fluorit
Bulgarian:Флуорит
Catalan:Fluorita
Croatian:Fluorit
Czech:Fluorit
Dutch:Fluoriet
Estonian:Fluoriit
Finnish:Fluoriitti
Galician:Fluorita
German:Fluorit
Bruiachit
Cam
Fluorbaryt
Fluss
Flusssaurer Kalk
Flußspat
Flussspat
Flußspath
Fluszspat
Lysspat
Afrika-smaragd (in part)
Honigspat (in part)
Bruiachit
Cam
Fluorbaryt
Fluss
Flusssaurer Kalk
Flußspat
Flussspat
Flußspath
Fluszspat
Lysspat
Afrika-smaragd (in part)
Honigspat (in part)
Hebrew:פלואוריט
Hungarian:Fluorit
Italian:Fluorite
Fluorina
Spato fluore
Fluorina
Spato fluore
Japanese:蛍石
Latvian:Fluorīts
Lithuanian:Fluoritas
Low Saxon/Low German:Fluorit
Occitan:Fluorita
Polish:Fluoryt
Portuguese:Fluorite
Romanian:Fluorină
Russian:Флюорит
Slovak:Fluorit
Slovenian:Fluorit
Spanish:Fluorita
Espato fluor
Fluspat
Espato fluor
Fluspat
Traditional Chinese:螢石
Ukrainian:Флюорит
Varieties of Fluorite
| Blue John | A local name for a banded white/purple variety of fluorite from the Castleton area of Derbyshire, England, UK. |
| Cerfluorite | A Ce-bearing fluorite. Known as a synthetic phase. |
| Chlorophane | A variety of fluorite that exhibits green short-wave and medium-wave fluorescence and afterglow, violet long-wave fluorescence and green thermoluminescence. Originally described from Siberia, Russia. |
| False Amethyst | An old name for cut purple fluorite. [Chester, 1896, 92 - "Dict. Names Min."] |
| Ratovkite | Finely-dispersed fluorite of sedimentary origin and with deep-violet colour due to irradiation. First described from the Moscow area in the early 19th century. This variety has not a true sedimentary origin but only forms within marine sedimentary rocks f... |
| Stink-Fluss | A dark violet to blackish variety of fluorite, especially from Wölsendorf, Germany, that emits an odor of HF and ozone upon grinding due to the internal presence of free fluorine gas and colloidal calcium and the interaction of components with water upon... |
| Strontium-bearing Fluorite | Fluorite containing 2-18 mass.% of Sr. |
| Tiffany stone | A fine-grained purple to pale violet fluorite, usually with swirl patterns sometimes with small impurities of intergrown bertrandite, chalcedony, opal, and/or quartz. |
| Yttrocerite | Y- and Ce-bearing fluorite (see also yttrofluorite). Note: A great many occurrences of yttrocerite reported in the nineteenth century were false. The so-called "yttrocerite" has repeatedly been shown to be ordinary purple fluorite without enrichment of r... |
| Yttrofluorite | Yttrofluorite is a variety of fluorite containing an appreciable amount of trivalent yttrium (Y) taking the place of divalent calcium (Ca) cations in the fluorite structure. Many early identifications of yttrofluorite are likely to be purple fluorite with... |
Relationship of Fluorite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Fluorite Group:
| Fluorocronite | PbF2 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| Frankdicksonite | BaF2 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| Strontiofluorite | SrF2 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 16,173 photos of Fluorite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9,792 photos of Fluorite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 6,188 photos of Fluorite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 3,641 photos of Fluorite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 3,040 photos of Fluorite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 2,988 photos of Fluorite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2,071 photos of Fluorite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 1,745 photos of Fluorite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1,567 photos of Fluorite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 1,191 photos of Fluorite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.AB. | Manuelarossiite | PbCaAlF7 |
| 3.AB. | Fluorocronite | PbF2 |
| 3.AB.05 | Tolbachite | CuCl2 |
| 3.AB.10 | Coccinite | HgI2 |
| 3.AB.15 | Sellaite | MgF2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Lawrencite | (Fe2+,Ni)Cl2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Scacchite | MnCl2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Chloromagnesite | MgCl2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Frankdicksonite | BaF2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Strontiofluorite | SrF2 |
| 3.AB.30 | Tveitite-(Y) | (Y, Na)6Ca6Ca6(Ca,Na)F42 |
| 3.AB.35 | Gagarinite-(Y) | NaCaYF6 |
| 3.AB.35 | Polezhaevaite-(Ce) | NaSrCeF6 |
| 3.AB.35 | Gagarinite-(Ce) | Na(REExCa1-x)(REEyCa1-y)F6 |
| 3.AB.37 | Calcioaravaipaite | PbCa2AlF9 |
| 3.AB.85 | Cotunnite | PbCl2 |
Fluorescence of Fluorite
Blue under LW-UV, due to Eu2+; other colors caused by different activators (white & cream - organic matter). Red (Mapimi, Mexico), pink (Doña Ana claims, AZ), white (Sterling Hill, NJ). Green response points to ytterbium (Siddike et al. 2003).
May also be phosphorescent.
A distinct peak for photoluminescence is observed at 424 nm in all samples, corresponding to the characteristic luminescence of the rare-earth element Eu2+. The emitted light falls within the violet-blue region of the visible spectrum.
May also be phosphorescent.
A distinct peak for photoluminescence is observed at 424 nm in all samples, corresponding to the characteristic luminescence of the rare-earth element Eu2+. The emitted light falls within the violet-blue region of the visible spectrum.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting point 1360°C.
Notes:
May be thermoluminescent or triboluminescent.
Decomposed by H2SO4; slightly soluble in hot HCl. Slightly soluble in water (0.016 grams per liter at 18°C).
Decomposed by H2SO4; slightly soluble in hot HCl. Slightly soluble in water (0.016 grams per liter at 18°C).
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Some specimens are light sensitive and become paler on exposure to light.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Flux in steel making; source of fluorine
Fluorite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Fluorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1576.html
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References for Fluorite
Reference List:
Holzgang, F. (1930) Zur Morphologie von Fluorit, Scheelit und Brookit. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 10. p.374-476. doi:10.5169/SEALS-11641
PRZIBRAM, K. (1938) Absorption Bands and Electron Transitions in Coloured Fluorites. Nature, 141 (3578). 970 doi:10.1038/141970b0
Chatterjee, Narayanchandra (1939) Über die Fluoreszenzspektren der seltenen Erden in künstlichen Fluoriten und deren Deutung. Zeitschrift für Physik, 113. 96-114 doi:10.1007/bf01371658
Allen, Robert D. (1952) Variations in chemical and physical properties of fluorite. American Mineralogist, 37 (11-12) 910-930
Przibram, Karl (1952) Über die Färbungen des Fluorits. Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 3 (1). 21-31 doi:10.1007/bf01123181
Mackenzie, K. J. D., Green, J. M. (1971) The cause of coloration in Derbyshire Blue John banded fluorite and other blue banded fluorites. Mineralogical Magazine, 38 (296) 459-470 doi:10.1180/minmag.1971.038.296.08
Cooper, M. J.; Rouse, K. D. (1971) A neutron diffraction study of SrF2 and CaF2. Acta Crystallographica Section A, 27 (6). 622-628 doi:10.1107/s0567739471001360
So, Chil-Sup, Shelton, Kevin Louis, Seidemann, David E., Skinner, Brian J. (1983) The Dae Hwa tungsten-molybdenum mine, Republic of Korea; a geochemical study. Economic Geology, 78 (5) 920-930 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.78.5.920(epitaxy with fluorite)
Naldrett, D. L., Lachaine, Andre, Naldrett, S. N. (1987) Rare-earth elements, thermal history, and the colour of natural fluorites. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 24 (10) 2082-2088 doi:10.1139/e87-197
Strel'tsov, V. A., Tsytsenko, A. K., Antipin, M. Yu., Fundamenskii, V. S., Tsirel'son, V. G., Frank-Kamenetskaya, O. V., Struchkov, Yu. T. (1988) Precision x-ray data on the electronic structure of fluorite. Journal of Structural Chemistry, 29 (2). 238-241 doi:10.1007/bf00747986
Sidike, Aierken, Kusachi, I., Yamashita, N. (2003) Natural fluorite emitting yellow fluorescence under UV light. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 30 (8) 478-485 doi:10.1007/s00269-003-0341-3
Schwinn, Gregor, Markl, Gregor (2005) REE systematics in hydrothermal fluorite. Chemical Geology, 216 (3) 225-248 doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2004.11.012
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Significant localities for Fluorite
Showing 92 significant localities out of 12,573 recorded on mindat.org.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Sillitoe (1982) +2 other references |
| [Lancaster +4 other references |
| Kitto |
Austria | |
| R. Stroh: Der Karinthin 69:45-51 (1973) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) | |
| Weninger (1976) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) +1 other reference |
| Franz Walter et al. (2011) |
| Kühn (1967) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Neutkens et al. (2007) |
| Neutkens et al. (2007) |
Canada | |
| Rocks & Minerals (xxxx) +4 other references |
| Montgomery (n.d.) +2 other references |
China | |
| Keqin Xu (1957) +8 other references |
| Dengfeng Tu (1984) +3 other references |
| |
Colombia | |
| Saenz (2005) |
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| G. Agricola (1530) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Chollet Pascal Collection |
| J.-J. Périchaud: "Les Minéraux ... |
| G. Signorelli |
| extraLapis No. 4 (1993) +2 other references | |
| Bariand (1986) |
| yves Mourey |
| Thierry Brunsperger collection +2 other references |
| |
| Hohl (1994) |
| Haas (n.d.) |
| [var: Stink-Fluss] TOUTIN-MORIN N. (1994) |
| MAURY (S) |
| Belot (1978) +1 other reference |
| Mari et al. (1979) |
Germany | |
| Metz et al. (1957) |
| |
| G. Agricola (1530) +1 other reference |
Ireland | |
| specimen in R.W. Barstow collection |
| Flannery (n.d.) |
Italy | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Giuseppe Finello collection and photo +3 other references |
| collect from authors +7 other references |
| D'Achiardi (1872-73) |
| Borghi (1993) |
Japan | |
| https://www.sasahoramine.jp/ |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) +1 other reference |
| Tritlla +1 other reference |
| González-Partida +8 other references |
Namibia | |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +10 other references |
Norway | |
| [var: Yttrofluorite] Vogt (1911) +3 other references |
Pakistan | |
| Smith et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Peru | |
| Belsher (1982) +3 other references |
Poland | |
| Janeczek (1985) +1 other reference |
Portugal | |
| 335-354 +3 other references | |
Russia | |
| Dobovol'skaya et al. (1990) +4 other references |
| Seroka (2001) |
Spain | |
| Calvo et al. (2006) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2006) +1 other reference |
| Calvo et al. (2006) |
| García García et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Calvo Rebollar (2006) |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +2 other references |
| Calvo et al. (2006) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder (1964) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Bancroft (1973) +2 other references |
UK | |
| Hall (1868) |
| Dunham (1990) |
| Fisher et al. (2000) |
| Rocks & Min.: 15:57 +2 other references |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... | |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +2 other references |
| [var: Blue John] Dewey et al. (1922) |
USA | |
| Personally collected by bob Jackson |
| Rocks & Min.: 63: 286 +2 other references |
| [var: Chlorophane] Moritz (n.d.) |
| [var: Chlorophane] Hitchcock (1826) +4 other references | |
| Numerous private collections | |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +4 other references |
| Brunet (1980) +2 other references |
| [var: Chlorophane] Hewitt (circa 1960s) +1 other reference |
| Jeremy Zolan collection |
| Rocks & Minerals: 63: 359. +4 other references |
| Rocks & Min.:64:17 +4 other references |
| Rocks & Min.:63:222. +4 other references | |
| Rocks & Min.: 65: 329-335. +1 other reference |
| Clippinger (1949) +2 other references |
| Rocks & Min.: 64:30. +3 other references |
| Jensen (1942) |
| Kyle (1976) +2 other references |
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Jewel Box Pocket, Rogerley Mine, Rogerley Quarry, Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK