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Fluorite

· 1 min read · Materials

Fluorite is a vividly colored banded mineral (4 on Mohs) with four directions of cleavage; beautiful but soft, best in pieces that are not knocked.

Illustration: Fluorite

Fluorite is a transparent mineral that comes in violet, green, blue, yellow and pink, often with color bands. It gives its name to the phenomenon of fluorescence. It is very beautiful but soft.

Properties #

  • Composition: calcium fluoride.
  • Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale, with perfect cleavage.
  • Color: violet, green, blue, yellow, pink, colorless; with bands.
  • Origins: China, Mexico, England, the USA.
  • Treatments: may be stabilized with resin.

Uses in jewelry #

  • Pendants and earrings.
  • Beads and spheres.
  • Decorative pieces.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Vivid colors and lovely bands.
  • Affordable.
  • Cut in large sizes.

Limitations #

  • Soft; scratches and splits.
  • Not suitable for rings.
  • Sensitive to heat and sudden change.

Care and cleaning #

  • Clean with a soft cloth and water.
  • Do not use ultrasonic or heat.
  • Store wrapped and alone.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.