Mineral - Fluorite
Fluorite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Halides
Toxicity
none
Formula
CaF₂
Unit Cell
a=5.46 Z=4
Physical Properties
Hardness
4
Streak
white
Density
Normal (2-3,5)
Cleavage
Perfect after {111}
Fracture
splintery
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
blackredorangeyellowgreenpinkvioletcolorless
Birefringence
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
translucent,
transparent,
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
isometric
Point Group
hexoctahedral - 4/m 3 2/m
Space Group
Fm 3 m (225)
Habit
Deltoidal icositetrahedron, coarse, dodecahedron, Hexakis octahedron, spherical, massive, Octahedron, Scalenohedron, Tetrakis hexahedron, Triacis octahedron, Cube
Formation
Fluorite primarily forms through hydrothermal processes as fluorine-rich solutions cool within veins and fissures, as well as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks (pegmatites) or via chemical interaction between fluoride-bearing fluids and calcium-rich host rocks
Paragenesis
Twinning
Cubic penetration twins after {111}; contact twins after {111} - Spinel law
Rarity
Common
Synonyms
Fluorite
Composition
Elements
Mass
SiO₂
0.05
MgO
0.03
Ca
51.24
F
48.29
Italy (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Fluorite-Group