FLUORITE

Fluorite, sometimes called fluorspar, is the mineral form of calcium fluoride, or CaF2. It is relatively soft, and is the example mineral of 4 on the Mohs hardness scale. Fluorite is one of the most diversely colored minerals in the entire mineral kingdom; however, pure fluorite is actually colorless and extremely rare. The color variations are most often caused by trace amounts of impurities, such as hydrocarbons. Fluorite crystallizes in the isometric cubic habit, although octahedral and more complex forms are not uncommon. Additionally, it has four perfect cleavage planes that help to produce octahedral variants. Fluorite is also known to exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, a property that gets its name from the mineral itself. Fluorescence involves the excitement of electron energy levels by quanta of ultraviolet light, followed by the regression of the electrons as they enter into their previous energy state, releasing quanta of visible light in the process. In fluorite, the visible light emitted is most commonly blue, but purple, yellow, green, red, and white can also occur on rare occasions. Fluorescence can be attributed to certain elemental inclusions, such as yttrium and ytterbium, or as organic matter inclusions, such as volatile hydrocarbons that are found within the crystal lattice. Interestingly, the famed solar reactant fluorite from Weardale, England is prized for its ability to transition from emerald green to vivid purple and blue in nothing more than natural sunlight. Its dramatic color shift has been attributed to the presence of elemental inclusions of divalent europium within the crystal structure. Solar reactant Weardale fluorite is currently extracted from two mines: The Rogerly Mine and the Diana Maria Mine; as well as a previous third mine, The Lady Annabella Mine, which has been out of operation since 2020.

FLUORITE HISTORY AND USES

Named in 1797 by Carlo Antonio Napione, who was an engineer and general of the Portuguese Army of Brazil, the word fluorite is derived from the Latin verb fluere, meaning to flow, which is an allusion to its use as a flux. Earlier on, the Latin terms “murrina” and “myrrhina” were also used to refer to the mineral fluorite, and in book 37 of Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia, fluorite is described as a precious stone with purple and white mottling. Today, its primary uses are as flux in steel manufacture, opalescent glass production, enamels for cooking utensils, high-performance telescopes, and also in camera lenses! Additionally, the purest grades of fluorite are mined as a resource of fluoride for hydrofluoric acid manufacture, which is the intermediate source of most fluorine-containing fine chemicals. The world reserves of fluorite are estimated at 230 million tons, which is an estimated 506.9 BILLION pounds of the colorful mineral! Aside from its industrial uses, fluorite is a well-known collector and enthusiast mineral. High grade specimens often possess intricate and alternating zones of color; from dramatic yellows and contrasting blues, to combinations of greens alternating with variations of purple. The colorful zones and well-defined crystallography of High-Grade fluorite specimens are often considered staples within enthusiast displays and museum mineral collections. The largest documented single crystal of cubic fluorite ever found was discovered in Dalnegorsk, Russia, where it measured 6.9ft across and weighed over 35,000lbs! 

FLUORITE METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, fluorite is a stone of the Heart and Third Eye Chakras. It is considered an excellent crystal for obtaining peace of mind and mental clarity. A stone of self-improvement, fluorite helps to condition the mind’s eye towards creating what the heart most desires. It allows for information from the subconscious to flow more freely, creating neurological pathways for passion driven decision making and intuitive thinking habits. Physically, fluorite is said to aid the body with certain afflictions of the intestines and stomach, as well as being a healthy stabilizer for the spine and nervous system. Fluorite has also been said to aid the teeth and bones, as well as mobilizing joints and counteracting inflammation associated with arthritis.