Blue Fluorite

• Fluorite is a mineral species (also called fluorspar); cubic crystal system; chemical composition CaF2
• transparent to translucent
• green, blue, brown, yellow, orange, pink,purple, violet, colorless 
• phenomena: color change 

Identification

• Optic Character: SR; AGG 
• Refractive Index: 1.434 (+.001). 
• Birefringence: none 
• Dispersion: .007 
• Pleochroism: none 
• Ultraviolet Fluorescence: variable,but often strong 
• Absorption Spectra:
• Cause of Color: blue – color centers involving yttrium and fluorine vacancy
• Specific Gravity: 3.18 (+,07.-18) 
• Polish Luster: vitreous 
• Fracture: conchoidal to steplike or splintery
• Luster: vitreous to subvitreous 
• Cleavage: perfect in four directions 
• Identifying Characteristics: color zoning, 2- and 3-phase inclusions 
• Hardness: 4 
• Toughness: poor 

Enhancements:

• Method: plastic or epoxy resin impregnation 

Effect: seals surface breaks so that delicate carvings can be produced without breaking 

Prevalence: rare 

Detection: magnification, hot point, fluorescence 

Stability: material is less brittle 

Maior Sources: England, Switzerland, US. Others: Australia, Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Norway

Stone information is reference from

Gem Reference Guide, Published by GIA. ISBN 0-87311-019-6

Gemstones of the World, Published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc NY, ISBN 1-4027-4016-6

Encyclopedia of GEMSTONE, Published by ISHINSHA CO., LTD. ISBN 978-986-251-831-1