Fluorite,calcium fluoride,is an abundant mineral that occurs commonly throughout the world in both massive deposits and veins,and also as excellent well-formed crystals (generally cube shaped,or cubic) in veins in ore deposits. Fluorite when pure is colorless,but traces of chemical impurities produce a huge palette of colors. Crystals can grow to several feet in size,and are frequently transparent. Fluorite has been used as a gem material,and a number of cut gems weighing more than 1,000 carats have been cut from crystals of various colors. Major localities include,Illinois,Missouri,Indiana,Pakistan,Switzerland,New Hampshire,China,Argentina and England. Cornwall is a classic fluorite locality in England |