Gem Profile- Fluorite
Known as "the most colorful mineral in the world," fluorite is found in a transparent to a translucent rainbow of pastel shades that resemble watercolors. These natural colors include from deep purple to pale violet, blues, pinks, yellow, and brown, all hues of green through teal and colorless or white.
Many fluorite specimens show color stripes or bands called zones.
Multi-colored fluorite with this feature is named "Rainbow Fluorite."
Fluorite crystals grow in cubic, rhombdodecahedral, or octahedral shapes.
As a halide mineral, its structure resembles rock salt crystals.
View amazing Elmwood Mine fluorite specimens in Tennessee: Elmwood Fluorite.
Only one Elmwood Fluorite piece sits in my collection, but it is a beauty.
Pictured: a collection of octahedral (8-sided) fluorite crystals. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Multi-colored fluorite with this feature is named "Rainbow Fluorite."
Fluorite crystals grow in cubic, rhombdodecahedral, or octahedral shapes.
As a halide mineral, its structure resembles rock salt crystals.
View amazing Elmwood Mine fluorite specimens in Tennessee: Elmwood Fluorite.
Only one Elmwood Fluorite piece sits in my collection, but it is a beauty.
Pictured: a collection of octahedral (8-sided) fluorite crystals. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Illinois' state stone, commercially known as fluorspar, is fluorite.
It consists of calcium and fluorine, the world's main fluorine source.
"Fluorite" derives from Latin fluere, meaning "to flow," since it melts easily.
Industrially, it acts as a flux in smelting iron, aluminum, steel, and alloys.
It also manufactures porcelain, enamel, and glass.
Reconstituted transparent fluorite once made telescope and camera lenses.
Modern synthetics often replace it.
A really nice specimen of massive, cubic fluorite from Hardin County, Illinois. Private collection, Anne Hass.
It consists of calcium and fluorine, the world's main fluorine source.
"Fluorite" derives from Latin fluere, meaning "to flow," since it melts easily.
Industrially, it acts as a flux in smelting iron, aluminum, steel, and alloys.
It also manufactures porcelain, enamel, and glass.
Reconstituted transparent fluorite once made telescope and camera lenses.
Modern synthetics often replace it.
A really nice specimen of massive, cubic fluorite from Hardin County, Illinois. Private collection, Anne Hass.
Organic fluoride chemicals from fluorite appear in lipstick.
They also exist in dyes, herbicides, medicines, anesthetics, refrigerants, plastics, and degreasing agents.
Fluorite is much more than a pretty lapidary material.
40mm Rainbow Fluorite wire wrapped by Monica Padin, who wrote "When I saw the stone it was love at first sight, and a heavy price tag in London to accompany it. The wire sculpture is done reversible in 14kt gold fill and Silver. I call it Havanera for all the glitz."
They also exist in dyes, herbicides, medicines, anesthetics, refrigerants, plastics, and degreasing agents.
Fluorite is much more than a pretty lapidary material.
40mm Rainbow Fluorite wire wrapped by Monica Padin, who wrote "When I saw the stone it was love at first sight, and a heavy price tag in London to accompany it. The wire sculpture is done reversible in 14kt gold fill and Silver. I call it Havanera for all the glitz."
Glass artists know hydrofluoric acid forms by combining fluorite with hydrogen.
Commercially, it etches or polishes glass and cleans metals before plating.
It also makes rocket fuel.
Hydrofluoric acid is highly poisonous, deadly to breathe, and corrosive to skin.
Pictured:
"Chasing Rainbows" is a rainbow fluorite stone wire wrapped in sterling silver and enhanced with Swarovski crystals by Linda Pope.
A simple but beautiful collection of rainbow fluorite beads, combined with a bit of wire to make a summertime necklace design by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
Commercially, it etches or polishes glass and cleans metals before plating.
It also makes rocket fuel.
Hydrofluoric acid is highly poisonous, deadly to breathe, and corrosive to skin.
Pictured:
"Chasing Rainbows" is a rainbow fluorite stone wire wrapped in sterling silver and enhanced with Swarovski crystals by Linda Pope.
A simple but beautiful collection of rainbow fluorite beads, combined with a bit of wire to make a summertime necklace design by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
Fluorite has a Mohs hardness of 4.0, glassy appearance, and many color combinations.
It has served as a favorite carving medium for centuries.
It cleaves easily into flat shapes matching the original crystal.
Its fragility damages many artifacts, including South American effigies, Pompeii vessels, and early Chinese scarabs.
Romans believed purple fluorite cups protected against wine intoxication, like amethyst.
Best known is Blue John fluorite from Castleton, England, with blue, purple, and white bands.
Mined from the mid-1700s until depleted, it formed antique lamps, goblets, and vases.
Queen Elizabeth II owns a magnificent Blue John chalice.
Today, artisans carve large vases and miniature ornaments from fluorite.
A small statue of Buddha, carved out of multi-color fluorite. Private collection, Skye Thompson.
It has served as a favorite carving medium for centuries.
It cleaves easily into flat shapes matching the original crystal.
Its fragility damages many artifacts, including South American effigies, Pompeii vessels, and early Chinese scarabs.
Romans believed purple fluorite cups protected against wine intoxication, like amethyst.
Best known is Blue John fluorite from Castleton, England, with blue, purple, and white bands.
Mined from the mid-1700s until depleted, it formed antique lamps, goblets, and vases.
Queen Elizabeth II owns a magnificent Blue John chalice.
Today, artisans carve large vases and miniature ornaments from fluorite.
A small statue of Buddha, carved out of multi-color fluorite. Private collection, Skye Thompson.
Did you know that the terms fluoresce and fluorescent were derived from the word fluorite? In the world of fluorescent minerals, fluorite is king! You can see some fluorite under both types of UV lights by visiting The Colorful World of Fluorescent Rocks. (Video to be posted soon)
Jackie Morris created these wire wrapped earring and necklace sets using various colors of fluorite beads.
Jackie Morris created these wire wrapped earring and necklace sets using various colors of fluorite beads.
Fluorite is soft and cleaves easily.
It is not ideal for high-traffic jewelry like bracelets, rings, or anklets.
Safest uses include pendants, necklaces, earrings, cuff links, tie tacs, or brooches.
Illinois artisans cleave fluorite on purpose for costume jewelry.
Try hammering an extra crystal for fun.
A few fluorite carvings, meant to be made into jewelry designs.
These range in size from 1 to 1-1/2 inches long/tall. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
It is not ideal for high-traffic jewelry like bracelets, rings, or anklets.
Safest uses include pendants, necklaces, earrings, cuff links, tie tacs, or brooches.
Illinois artisans cleave fluorite on purpose for costume jewelry.
Try hammering an extra crystal for fun.
A few fluorite carvings, meant to be made into jewelry designs.
These range in size from 1 to 1-1/2 inches long/tall. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
The metaphysical world is full of information about how to use fluorite. It is said to increase the ability to concentrate and to help one organize their life.
Fluorite also is said to encourage flawless health, intellect, and emotional well-being.
Metaphysical "wands" of fluorite that I enjoy "caging" with wire, like a crystal.
Fluorite also is said to encourage flawless health, intellect, and emotional well-being.
Metaphysical "wands" of fluorite that I enjoy "caging" with wire, like a crystal.
Resources
Print Resources:
Love Is in The Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-962-81903-4
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Peterson Field Guide - Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN 0-395-91096-X
Internet Resources:
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
Love Is in The Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-962-81903-4
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Peterson Field Guide - Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN 0-395-91096-X
Internet Resources:
www.wikipedia.org
Materials
Wire
35MM Faceted Fluorite Pendant in Sterling Silver Setting
E3-112
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Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
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- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Dale Armstrong
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