![]() Yellow fluorite is known for strengthening intellect and study stamina. Green can have a positive influence on matters of employment, money, growth and fertility. When hints of light blue are present it helps with patience, contentment and happiness.ĭark blue fluorite attracts a change in circumstances and strengthens psychic ability. When used for its healing properties violet or purple fluorite crystals are said to deepen meditation. For this reason it must be handled very carefully. On Mohs scale of mineral hardness fluorite grades 4. Two fluorite cups from around 50 - 100 AD are housed in the British Museum.Ī wonderfully colourful mineral fluorite is a favourite with collectors and widely used for decorative purposes.īeing soft and fragile it can fracture or break very easily. It's used in toothpaste because of its ability to fight cavities and in Teflon which is the non-stick surface in cooking pans.įluorite is known to have been used in ancient Egypt and was also mined by the Romans. It's the main source of natural fluorine used for the fluoridation of water. It's used in the manufacture of fibreglass, ceramics and opaque glass and is also used in the chemical, iron and steel industries.įluorite is the mineral form of calcium fluoride. This name is a reference to the ease in which it melts when being used as a flux in the smelting and refining of metals.įluorite is widely used in industry where it's known as fluorspar. This is because it has a very low melting point. The name fluorite originates from the Latin word 'fluere' meaning 'to flow'. The Illinois general assembly passed a bill in 1965 declaring fluorite as its official state mineral. The state of Illinois in the USA was once the world's largest producer but the last mine closed in 1995. Other notable deposits of fluorite can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Mexico and Canada. It occurs in massive form, exhibits bands of yellow and purple colour and is almost completely mined out. ![]() This material cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the finest crystals come from England particularly Durham, Cornwall and Cumberland.Ĭastleton in Derbyshire is famous for a rare variety of fluorite known as Derbyshire Blue John. Only a handful of deposits have produced large quantities of fine grade gemstones. Notable Occurrences of Fluoriteįluorite can be found in a wide range of different geological environments and in many places around the world. Not all crystals will fluoresce even in stones obtained from the same locality. The word 'fluorescent' came about because this optical phenomenon was first observed in the mineral fluorite.įluorescence is caused by specific impurities within the crystal structure. In this crystal habit crystals grow tightly together to form a large shapeless mass.įluorites' ability to fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light has been well documented. Inclusions of gasses and fluids such as petroleum and water may also be present.Īlthough crystals tend to be well formed and often occur as cubes, fluorite also crystallises in masses. With the presence of impurities comes small amounts of silicon, aluminium and magnesium. When void of impurities they're made up of 51.1% calcium, 48.9% fluorine. Despite ongoing research the exact cause of the green colour in fluorite remains a mystery.įluorite crystals tend to be transparent or translucent with a vitreous or glass-like lustre. ![]() Some believe its caused by exposure to radiation whilst others say it's the result of complex chemical interactions between the impurities and the crystal lattice. It's believed the green colour comes from impurities of chromium or vanadium but the precise mechanism behind the colouration is not fully understood. Scientists do not fully understand what causes fluorite to be green. Colours can be bright and vibrant but if exposed to excessive heat or sunlight will gradually fade. Heat from geological processes such as radiation also play a part.Īlthough hues of yellow, green, blue and purple are the most common fluorite can also be white pink reddish orange brown and even black. The mineral changes colour because of impurities within the crystal structure. Although often described as the most colourful mineral in the world, in its purest form fluorite is colourless. Fluorite Properties Facts and Photos Contentsįluorite crystals represent one of the widest ranges of colour of any natural mineral.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |