Fluorite

  • Author(s)
    Gayle Sutherland
  • Updated
    11/11/22
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Fluorite Click to enlarge image
Pink fluorite gem - reg no. D53019, and it weighs 437.40 carats (note: 1 ct is 0.2 gram). It was cut by Maria Atkinson in 2003. This specimen comes from Bundarra, near Howell, New England , NSW. It has been in the AM collection for over100yrs. Image: Stuart Humphreys
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Properties
    Lustre
    Glassy
    Hardness
    4.0

Fluorite is a calcium fluoride that crystallises in the cubic system. It occurs in a wide range of attractive colours. However a hardness of 4, perfect octahedral cleavage and a sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature make it difficult to facet and preserve.

Although rarely used in jewellery fluorite is faceted as a collector's stone.

Fluorite Physical properties

  • Chemistry: calcium fluoride
  • Hardness: 4
  • Refractive Index: 1.433 - 1.448
  • Specific gravity: 3.0-3.3
  • Lustre: glassy

Fluorite in Australia

In New South Wales, attractive emerald-green fluorite comes from Emmaville, in the New England district. Attractive fluorite crystals are found at Luina, Tasmania.