Fluorite

Fluorite is the mineral form of calcium fluoride (CaF₂), known for its cubic crystals, broad range of colors, and uses as a fluorine source, industrial flux, and ornamental stone.

Calcium fluoride: An ionic compound with formula CaF₂, occurring naturally as the mineral fluorite. Fluorite is the naturally occurring mineral form of this compound.
Hydrothermal mineral deposit: A mineral concentration formed when hot, mineral-rich fluids move through rocks and precipitate minerals. Hydrothermal fluids commonly deposit fluorite in veins and cavities.
Fluorspar: The commercial name for fluorite used as an industrial mineral, especially in steelmaking and chemical production. Fluorite ore is traded and processed as fluorspar.
Cavnic: A mining district in Maramureș County, Romania, known for polymetallic ores and notable mineral specimens. Cavnic has produced well-formed fluorite crystals in varied colors.
Calcite: A calcium carbonate mineral that commonly forms rhombohedral crystals and reacts readily with dilute acids. Calcite can resemble pale fluorite, but its acid reaction and cleavage differ.
Fluorite structure: A crystal structure in which calcium ions form a face-centered cubic lattice and fluoride ions occupy tetrahedral sites. This arrangement gives fluorite its characteristic cubic symmetry.
Fluorite vein: A tabular body of fluorite filling a fracture or fissure in rock. Veins are a characteristic setting for economically concentrated fluorite.
Hydrofluoric acid: A corrosive solution of hydrogen fluoride used to produce fluorochemicals and etch silicate materials. Most fluorite consumed by the chemical industry is converted into hydrogen fluoride.
Weardale: A region in County Durham, England, with historic lead mining and famous fluorite-bearing veins. Its mines yielded classic purple and colorless fluorite specimens.
Halite: The mineral form of sodium chloride, typically crystallizing as cubes with three directions of perfect cleavage. Halite shares fluorite’s cubic habit but has cubic rather than octahedral cleavage.

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