Fluorite

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Fluorite primarily occurs as a

pore-filling mineral in carbonate rocks.

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Fluorite occurs as a low temperature hydrothermal vein deposit associated with lead and silver ores…

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…and less often as an accessory mineral in

pegmatites and granites.Fluorite is sometimes even precipitated at hot springs.

It is also a common and beautiful gemstone.

The term ‘fluorescence’ actually comes from the mineral name ‘fluorite’. The top photo is of a fluorite crystal under normal light and the bottom photo is under ultraviolet light.

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The element fluorine actually derives its name from fluorite and is a deadly poison that killed or permanently injured a number of scientists involved in its original isolation and identification.

Clear fluorite is among the rarest of the many fluorite varieties and was once used in the manufacture of optical lens.

Modern fluorite lens are usually from commercially manufactured fluorite, rather than natural clear crystals.

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Fluorite is used as a flux in the smelting of metallic ores. A flux is a material that melts easily and can be used to remove impurities from metal ores, or that makes the slag produced by metal ore smelting more fluid.

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Fluorite is used to smelt aluminum.

It is used in open-hearth steel and steel enamelware production.

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Fluorite is used in the manufacture of some types of glass, enamel, and porcelains…

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…and to manufacture of high-octane fuels.

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gFluorite is used to enrich uranium for nuclear power plants and weapons

Photo courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office

The first large scale manufacture of fluorine occurred during WWII, when it was used to separate and enrich the uranium needed for the Manhattan Project’s atomic bomb program.

This photo at left shows the Trinity test in July 1945.

Fluorite is used in the manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) which were once widely used as the cooling fluid of refrigerators and air-conditioners, as well as the propellant for aerosol cans of paint and hairspray.

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CFCs react with ozone in the high atmosphere and have

caused thin spots.

Fluorite is the source of fluoridated water and the fluoride compounds used in toothpaste and mouthwash that help to reduce dental cavities.

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Non-reactive fluorocarbon resins are used to line pipes, tanks and even cooking utensils. You know it as Teflon.

This underground storage tank at a gas station is

lined with Teflon.

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This Teflon tape is for sealing water or gas pipe joints.

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Fluorite is used in the manufacture

of flat panel displays and

semiconductors

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Fluorite

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media rights

Many of the photos in this presentation were obtained through Flickr and Wikipedia.

Funded by FIPSE and by the University of Minnesota. Compiled for Dr. Kent Kirkby, Department of Geology and Geophysics, by Kate Rosok, 2007. Each displayed image

retains its original media rights. For educational purposes only; not to be used commercially.

public domain (none)

© Copyright. All rights reserved

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