Fluorite - a gem of many colours.

Fluorite is a gorgeous gemstone. Known for its rainbow shades, it is a solid favourite amongst jewellery makers. The stone is from a group of minerals called Haloids, which includes Sodium Chloride or salt! It forms cubic crystals, which are often twinned and inter-grown. The mineral can emit light after heating and has a characteristic smell if struck or rubbed. The stone can be quite brittle, having a perfect cleavage, a hardness of 4 on Mohs scale of hardness and a splintery fracture. This makes the stone best suited to earrings, necklaces and pendants, where the stone is less prone to wear. The gem comes in all shades: purple, green, blue, pink, yellow and white being the most commonly seen - often all together in the one gemstone. It is found all over the world, in association with ore deposits and in metamorphic rocks. It can also be found with sedimentary rocks, such as Limestone. In the UK it can be found in Cornwall, in association with tin mines and in Derbyshire, where it forms purple and yellow bands of dog toothed patterned masses, known as Blue John - a name thought to have been a corruption of the French Bleu Jaune (French for blue yellow)It is also found in other areas of the UK. It has industrial uses as flux in the metal industry and for making hydrofluric acid. The stone is the Zodiac stone for Pisces and Capricorn and is said to give the wearer analytical abilities and physical perfection (both properties I could do with boosting!) It is said to calm and bring good health. I have chosen some of my favourite designs from Folksy, that feature Fluorite. Please do take the time to have a look more closely by clicking on the pictures to be taken to the designers shops. ..................................................................................................................................................................... This feminine bracelet features faceted and round cut fluorite stones with sterling silver. It can be found in my shop! Yellow fluorite makes a lovely statement in this keyring by Natalie Ofkants. The faceted accents of colour in this pearl necklace are beautifully created by fluorite gems. By Jacqueline Austen. Gorgeous purple hues in this lovely jewellery set by Jacqueline Ostrowka. This necklace shows the colours of Fluorite in one stunning piece. Necklace by Lorraine & Rachael Freeman Fluorite and Mother of Pearl make a statement in this fabulous necklace by Anna Faye. The high bezel on this yellow fluorite ring offers the best protection for the beautiful stone. Ring by Alison Moore. The main feature of this pendant shows fluorite in a soft green. By Jacqueline Austen ............................................................................................................................................................. I hope you like this little montage of Fluorite. Thanks so much for looking, Jacqueline x