Gem Profile- Fluorite

Illinois' state stone, commercially known as fluorspar, fluorite is composed of calcium and fluorine and it is the most important source of the world's fluorine. Due to the fact that fluorite melts very easily, the name "fluorite" comes from the Latin fluere, which means "to flow." As such, the mineral fluorite is used industrially as a flux during the process of smelting iron, aluminum, steel and other metal alloys. It is also used in the manufacturing of certain types of porcelain, enamel and glass products. Reconstituted, transparent fluorite has been used to make special optical items like telescope and camera lenses in the recent past; however, modern technology now often replaces this product with synthetics.


A really nice specimen of massive, cubic fluorite from Hardin County, Illinois. Private collection, Anne Hass.

Believe it or not, organic fluoride chemicals are present in lipstick! As well as many other items we use every day including dyes, herbicides, medicines, and anesthetics, along with refrigerants, plastics, and degreasing agents. Yes, fluorite is much more than just 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 acompany it. The wire sculpture is done reversible in 14kt gold fill and Silver. I call it Havanera for all the glitz."

With a Mohs hardness of 4.0, glassy appearance and being available in so many different color combinations, fluorite has been a favorite carving medium for centuries. Fluorite will also cleave easily, breaking into smaller, flat shapes identical to the original crystal. Unfortunately because it is such a fragile and soft material, many fluorite artifacts have been found damaged. Some of these items include effigies from South America (there are a lot of fluorite mines in Peru) carved vessels and statuary found in the area of Pompeii and carved scarabs and beads from early China. Early Rome fell in love with the many colors of fluorite and its citizens believed that cups carved of purple fluorite worked the same as those made of amethyst, meaning that one would be protected from intoxication while drinking wine from them. The best known fluorite of all time is called Blue John from Castleton, England. This beautiful translucent material with elaborate bands of blues, purple, and white was mined from the mid 1700s until the deposit depleted. Antique collectors are very familiar with resin-treated John Blue fluorite, it having been used as the bases of ornamental lamps, goblets, bowls, and ornamental vases for England's great mansions. Queen Elizabeth II still owns a magnificent chalice made of this John Blue material. Even today, large vases and vessels are carved from fluorite, as well as small to miniature ornamental pieces.


A small statue of Buddha, carved out of multi-color fluorite. Private collection, Skye Thompson.

Due to the facts that fluorite is soft and cleaves easily, it not the best choice of lapidary material for any jewelry design that will be worn in a high traffic area, like a bracelet, ring or anklet. Basically the safest use of fluorite in jewelry is to make it into a pendant, necklace, earrings, cuff links, a tie tac, or a brooch. However, there are some folks in the state of Illinois who purposely cleave fluorite to be used in costume jewelry, just as it breaks. If you have an extra crystal laying around, hit it with a hammer and see what happens - 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.

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