FLUORITE

FLUORITE	Comes in many colors
Major Sources	Brazil & India
Colors Found	Various
Family	Fluorite: CaF2
Hardness	4
Refractive Index	1.43
Specific Gravity	3.00–3.25
Crystal System	Cubic
Enhancements	May be enhanced

Deriving its name from the Latin word fluere, meaning to flow (in reference to its low melting point), fluorite is known as “the world’s most colorful gemstone.”

Fluorite, from which we get the word fluorescent, crosses the entire color spectrum, from deep purple to crimson red, blue to green (chrome fluorite) and frosty orange to lemon yellow. Fluorite is one of the more famous fluorescent minerals. Many specimens strongly fluoresce in a great variety of colors.

Legends and lore

According to crystal healers, fluorite is a Third Eye gem bringing rationality to intuitive qualities. It is believed to offer a stabilizing energy, facilitating order, balance and healing. Fluorite is also believed to be excellent for fostering clarity of mind, objectivity, concentration and meditation.

Just the facts

Due to its glassy luster fluorite is highly coveted. Fluorite is the natural crystalline form of calcium fluoride and often forms beautiful cube-shaped crystals. It is a transparent to translucent mineral. When pure, fluorite is colorless; however, it usually contains impurities that color it. The most common colors are violet, blue, green, yellow, brown, pink and bluish black.

Arguably, the most popular color for fluorite is a deep purple that can rival amethyst in its finest examples. Indeed fluorite/amethyst comparisons are often used to show that color cannot be relied upon as a gemstone identification test.

An eye catching phenomenon of fluorite is its distinctive multicolored banding. Chunky fluorite bead strands optimize this exceptional effect. Interestingly, the “blue john” variety mined in England that possesses curved bands of blue purple, violet, yellow and white has been used as an ornamental gem since Roman times.

Color change fluorite is mined in Bihar, India and shows a dramatic change from green to purple. Color change gems are those that distinctly change their color when viewed under two different light sources.