Weardale Fluorite Crystal structure: cubic Composition: calcium fluoride Mohs hardness: 4 Also known as fluorspar
Image details
Contributor:
Derek Anderson / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
EHNY3YFile size:
63.3 MB (829.8 KB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - yesDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5760 x 3840 px | 48.8 x 32.5 cm | 19.2 x 12.8 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
11 December 2012Location:
United KingdomMore information:
Weardale Fluorite Crystal structure: cubic Composition: calcium fluoride Mohs hardness: 4 Also known as fluorspar, fluorite has limited use as a gemstone because it is relatively soft and easily scratched. However, the incidence of more than one colour in a single crystal and the zoning or patchy distribution of colour make it an interesting stone. It may be faceted and polished very brightly as in these examples. Weardale is a valley, on the east side of the Pennines in County Durham, England, historically important for lead mining. A major by-product of lead mining was various crystals, including fluorspar. Many samples of fluorite exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, a property that takes its name from fluorite. Weardale fluorite, due to europium impurities glows with a bluish light under ultraviolet light. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weardale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorite