Fascinating Rainbow Fluorite

The true beauty of rainbow fluorite is best appreciated when the crystal is illuminated.  Although the colours in our photograph have not been enhanced, the stone is surrounded by lights.  

Whislt illuminating fluorite certainly enhances its beauty, exposure to sunlight will cause any colour to fade.

Fluorite can occur in one colour or with several within the same crystal.  These stones tend to be known as rainbow fluorite.  Colour is determined by a number of factors but primarily impurities in the crystal structure and exposure to radiation.

When used in industry fluorspar as it's known has many different uses.  As a result it's beginning to attract interest from investors in commodities such as gold, silver, copper and lithium.

It's mostly used in the manufacture of chemicals, aluminium and steel. Fluorite is a naturally occurring mineral composed of 51.1% calcium and 48.9% fluorine.

Fluorite is soft and fragile so must be handled carefully. It chips and fractures easily so it's not usual for stones to have minor imperfections.