fluorite CaF2 Teaching student specimens of a gangue mineral commonly associated with metallic ores. Unit of 5 student specimens
Fluorite, calcium fluoride, is frequently a gangue mineral with metallic ores. “Gangue” describes uneconomic minerals that are associated with ores.
Used as a flux in the manufacture of steel, fluorite derives its name from the Latin fluere, to flow, since it melts at a low temperature compared with other minerals with which it is confused.
Circa 1852, Sir George Stokes, mathematics professor at the University of Cambridge, coined the term fluorescence, from the property of fluorite from some locations.
Fluorite varies widely in color, most commonly Coke-bottle green, yellow, bluish green and purple. Its hardness is 4 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness.
Good fluorite has been difficult to obtain. Either the specimens are raggedy or they are far too expensive, or both. This massive fluorite is from Durango, Mexico, but the exact locality was not recorded. Better than average student specimens.
We really don't like the tiny finger nail-sized specimens offered to students, as we feel these are too small to see rock textures and too small for examining the identifying characteristics of a mineral. We collect these specimens so that five specimens, or possibly six, will fit in a small flat rate box, and we keep the price low, as we know these will be used in a classroom. For teachers we count like a baker and a dozen is more than 12, since you will always need a few spares. If you are a teacher, let us know. These specimens are slightly smaller by our standards, but shipping iron ore from Peru is expensive. These are decent for the classroom.
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