Fluorite is sometimes called the most colorful mineral in the world because it forms in many various colors. The word fluorite comes from the Latin word fluere which means "to flow" because it melts at a lower temperature than other minerals with which it can be confused. Fluorite is a common mineral found all over the world, usually in hydrothermal veins where it is commonly associated with metallic ores.
| CaF2 |
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| Halide |
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| Isometric |
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| 4/m -3 2/m |
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| 4 |
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| 3.18 |
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| {111} perfect |
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| Uneven |
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| Varies, includes green, yellow, purple, colorless, pink, blue and brown |
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| White |
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| Vitreous |
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| Transparent/translucent |
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| Massive, crystalline |
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| Very often fluorescent |
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| Notable Localities: |
Cumbria, Derbyshire & Durham, England; Saxony, Germany; South Africa; China; Spain; Illinois |
| Uses: |
Manufacture of hydrofluoric acid, flux for steel, manufacture of glass, fiberglass, pottery, enamel, ornamental material, lenses & prisms |
| Calcite, dolomite, gypsum, celestite, barite, quartz, galena, sphalerite, cassiterite, topaz, tourmaline, apatite |
Specimens:
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