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Fluorite makes a beautiful gemstone that comes in all colors, and can often be multicolored with two or more contrasting color within the same gemstone. Multicolored Fluorite gemstones often show banding patterns. Large and flawless crystals are fairly common, and these can produce very large and totally clear gemstones. However, due to Fluorite's very low hardness and perfect cleavage, it cannot be used as a mainstream gemstone, and it is generally cut specifically for specialty collectors. |
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Chemical Formula |
CaF2 |
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Color |
White, Colorless, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Black, Banded, Multicolored |
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Hardness |
4 |
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Crystal System |
Isometric |
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Refractive Index |
.434 |
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SG |
3.0 - 3.3 |
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Transparency |
Transparent to translucent |
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Double Refraction |
None |
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Luster |
Vitreous |
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Cleavage |
1, all sides |
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Mineral Class |
Fluorite |
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Most Fluorite gemstones are from deeply colored stones, but they can also be cut from the less intense color forms. The most popular color for Fluorite is purple, and deep purple Fluorite can closely
resemble Amethyst. Fluorite is often brightly fluorescent in ultraviolet light. In fact, the term fluorescence is derived from Fluorite. Due to the very low hardness and perfect cleavage of Fluorite, special care must be taken to ensure it doesn't get scratched or chipped.
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Fluorite is not commonly used as jewelry, and is cut mostly for collectors. Small varicolored beads of Fluorite are sometimes strung for use as a bracelet. Fairly large gemstones have been cut from Fluorite, and round cuts with concave patterns are typical. Banded and multicolored Fluorites are sometimes cut and polished as cabochons. The banded variety Blue John was once used for ornamental carvings and as goblets.
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Blue John
- Banded purple and white (or purple and yellow) variety of Fluorite sometimes used for ornamental purposes.
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Fluorite is generally not heated or enhanced, though it has been occasionally irradiated to achieve wild neon colors.
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Fluorite is very common and deposits are found worldwide in almost all countries. Specifically famous producers include Canada, China, England, France, India, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Russia, South Africa Spain, Switzerland and the United States (especially Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and New Mexico).
The banded variety Blue John comes from Derbyshire, England.
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Due to the color variation of Fluorite, it can resemble many gemstones, though it can be easily distinguished by its low hardness.
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Have a question about Fluorite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
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