Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2005-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
fluorite

Chemical Group:    halide

Chemical Formula:    CaF₂

Color:  colorless, green, yellow, purple, bluish green, brown, pink

Luster:  vitreous

Hardness:   4                 Specific Gravity:   3.18                

Cleavage:  octahedral, 4 directions

Crystal Forms and Habits:  Isometric system
     Fluorite forms mainly cubes and octahedrons>
     Cube faces are typically smooth and shiny, whereas octahedron faces
     are rough and dull.

Mineral Associations: commonly found with galena

Identifying Characteristics:  4 directions of cleavage
    Crystals may also be multi-colored

Uses:  source of fluorine and also as a flux.
     May also be used in carvings and inexpensive jewelry

USA occurrences: 
Illinois
     Rosiclare
     Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
New Hampshire
     Stoddard Mine, Westmoreland
WORLD-WIDE occurrences: 
Germany
     Nabburg-Woelsendorf district

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- moderate          when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: