Fluorite Known Commercially as Fluorspar

Rich purple fluorite mineral from South Africa.  When used in industry fluorite which is calcium fluoride is known as fluorspar.

In its purest form it's 51.1% calcium, 48.9% fluorine.  It occurs in a wide variety of different colours and can also exhibit more than one colour within the same crystal.  When free from impurities fluorite is colourless.

Fluorite can be found around the world in a wide range of geological environments.

Fluorite was used in ancient Greece for ornamental purposes.  Multicoloured material was used to create vessels and vases.  Stone is believed to have been imported from Parthia, known today as Iran.

Distinctive green crystals can be seen underneath the top layer of purple crystals in this rough piece of fluorite.  The colour of fluorite is sensitive to light so may fade if exposed to sunlight.