CaF₂

MINERAL: Fluorite.

ORIGIN: La collada (Asturias).

CHEMISTY FORMULA: CaF₂

STRUNZ GROUP: Halures.

GENESIS: It forms in veins, cracks and metasomáticas druses of contact.

UTILITIES: Like flux in the metal fusion, like semiprecious ornamental stone and as raw material for the fluoritic acid production (HF).

LOCALIZACION IN THE MUSEUM: Display cabinet 6

ETIMOLOGY: The fluorita is used mainly in the manufacture of the steel like flux, from where it derives his name, that comes from the Latin word " fluere " that means " to flow " and makes reference to his low point of fusion and its use like flux in the fusion of metals.

OBSERVATIONS: The variety " Blue John " with crossed colors has caused who is appreciated like ornamental semiprecious stone. Thus in the antiquity the vases and ornaments done of this material were fashionable.

In addition, the fluorite has given name to the phenomenon of the fluorescence, although this mineral produces it weakly, being other minerals that express it of more spectacular form.

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Updated: February of 2001. Pages processed and maintained by E. Hernandez Torrego