Fluorite

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Mineral class: Halide
Composition: Calcium fluoride, CaF₂
Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Color: Allochromatic (color extremely variable; white to yellow to green to purple)
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 3.1-3.3
Crystal form: Isometric; octahedral or cubic.
Environment: Forms in hydrothermal veins, in cavities of many intrusives, or in volcanic rocks.
Uses: Production of hydrofluoric acid; metallurgy; optics (if crystals are clear).
Comments: Flame Test: brick red. Fuses easily. Insoluble in HCl and HNO₃, but dissolves in H₂SO₄ evolving hydrofluoric acid gas (HF, which attacks glass). Fluorescent in UV light: blue or violet. Spectacular crystals are found nearly worldwide. [fluorites.jpg]

Mineral class:	Halide
Composition:	Calcium fluoride, CaF₂
Hardness:	4
Luster:	Vitreous
Color:	Allochromatic (color extremely variable; white to yellow to green to purple)
Streak:	White
Specific Gravity:	3.1-3.3
Crystal form:	Isometric; octahedral or cubic.
Environment:	Forms in hydrothermal veins, in cavities of many intrusives, or in volcanic rocks.
Uses:	Production of hydrofluoric acid; metallurgy; optics (if crystals are clear).
Comments:	Flame Test: brick red. Fuses easily. Insoluble in HCl and HNO₃, but dissolves in H₂SO₄ evolving hydrofluoric acid gas (HF, which attacks glass). Fluorescent in UV light: blue or violet. Spectacular crystals are found nearly worldwide.