Mr. Fluorite © Tino Hammid
Fluorite is a well-known mineral that occurs in many colours, often zoned or banded, and commonly as transparent specimens. Euhedral, meaning well-formed, crystals with cubic or octahedral habit are very popular among mineral collectors, occurring notably in Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Namibia, Pakistan, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam, just to name a few.
The very low hardness (4 on the Mohs scale) and perfect cleavage make it difficult, but not impossible, to cut and polish as a faceted gemstone. These properties affect also the material’s durability if frequently used as jewellery, which makes it more perceived as a collector’s stone rather than a jewellery stone.
© Jeffrey A. Scovil
Often called fluorspar, its name was given by German physician Georgius Bauer (1495-1555), more commonly known as Agricola, from the Latin flour, “to flow”, alluding to its use as a flux.
By the way, it is the mineral’s strong luminescent properties to ultraviolet light that give the name to fluorescence that is defined as the emission of electromagnetic radiation (e.g. visible light) when a sample is stimulated by higher energy electromagnetic radiation (e.g. ultraviolet light).
In the photos, a fine fluorite specimen from the Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Germany (private collection) © Jeffrey A. Scovil; A fluorite from Cambokeels Mine, Weardale (Durham, England), under ultraviolet light showing fluorescence ; a set of large fluorites masterly cut by the late Art Grant (1915-2015) affectionately known as Mr. Fluorite © Tino Hammid
Guest articles by Rui Galopim de Carvalho:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/rui-galopim-de-carvalho
About the author:
Rui Galopim de Carvalho is a renowned independent Gem Education Consultant, author, luxury industry training expert and popular international lecturer on gemmology and on the history of gem materials. During his 30 year experience as a gemmologist, Rui has studied important collections in both public and private museums, notably the Portuguese Crown Jewels.
Founder of the popular Home Gemmology webinar series launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, Rui has a long history as a gemmology communicator, notably on social media where he is a popular figure.
Rui Galopim de Carvalho can be reached through his website:
