Fluorite is prized by collectors for its stunning range of vibrant colors and well-defined cubic or octahedral crystals. It is easily identified by its perfect octahedral cleavage and relative softness, making it a staple in any mineral collection.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralcommon

Fluorite

Also: Fluorspar

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this fluorite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch fluorite with a known reference. Fluorite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: purple, blue, green, yellow, colorless, white, pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: cubic crystals, octahedral, dodecahedral, massive.

Often confused with

Fluorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Calcite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Fluorite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3).

How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 4).

How to tell apart: Fluorite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5).

Compare →

Often found alongside fluorite

Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaF₂
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
Colors: Purple Blue Green Yellow Colorless White Pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Cubic Crystals, Octahedral, Dodecahedral, Massive
Cleavage: Perfect Octahedral
Fluorescence: Often Strongly Fluorescent Blue or Violet Under UV Light
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Industrial, Lapidary, Flux
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins, Sedimentary Limestone, Pegmatites
Typical price: $5-50 thumbnail, $50-500 cabinet specimen

Where rockhounds find fluorite

121 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, USA
Weardale, England
Asturias, Spain
Okorusu, Namibia
Hunan, China

U.S. states with fluorite

Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce fluorite.

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary limestone, pegmatites country — that is the host setting where fluorite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a cubic crystals, octahedral, dodecahedral, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah, New Mexico, Kentucky — start trip planning there.

Browse 121 U.S. spots for fluorite →

Common questions

How do you identify fluorite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include purple, blue, green, yellow.

Where is fluorite found?+

Notable localities include Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, USA; Weardale, England; Asturias, Spain; Okorusu, Namibia; Hunan, China.

Can I find fluorite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 121 fluorite rockhounding spots across 12 U.S. states — the top states are Utah, New Mexico, Kentucky.

How much is fluorite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 thumbnail, $50-500 cabinet specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like fluorite?+

Fluorite is most often confused with Calcite, Quartz, Halite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with fluorite?+

Fluorite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Quartz, Galena, Sphalerite, Barite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does fluorite form in?+

Fluorite typically forms in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary limestone, pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is fluorite used for?+

Fluorite is used in collector, industrial, lapidary, flux.

Find fluorite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.