Fluorite, initially called fluorspar, is a mineral composed of calcium fluoride and can be found in many parts of the world in large deposits. It occurs in several colors: blue, red, yellow, white, and of course purple, and green. It is thought that the term fluorescence came from fluorite because of its ability to fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Fluorite was not used as much historically as many other semi-precious gemstones have been in an ornamental fashion but rather in manufacturing opalescent glass, enamels, utensils, and hydrofluoric acid. It’s even used in some high-performance telescopes and camera lenses in place of regular glass. The name fluorite itself is derived from the Latin word fluo which means “flow”. This is in reference to its use as a flux.
Fluorite grows naturally in cube form and many times along with other metals. Galena, sphalerite, barite, quartz, and calcite are some that like to tag along in a fluorite cluster. Fluorite can be found all around the world: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Norway, Mexico, Ontario, Canada, and the United States. Within the U.S. there are deposits in Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kentucky, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Ohio, New Hampshire, New York, and Texas.
One of the most interesting things you’ll find about Fluorite (to those of us on RSL’s mailing list that reside in Illinois) is that historically, Illinois has been the largest producer of Fluorite in the United States. In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly passed a resolution declaring fluorite the official state mineral. Most of the fluorite mines, however, are closed down now unfortunately.
One of the most famous excavation sites in the world is in Castelton, Derbyshire, England. The location is known as “Blue John” Cavern and has produced beautiful purple-blue and even yellow fluorite pieces that have been used ornamentally and in lapidaries. The name Blue John is in reference to the French words bleu et jaune (blue and yellow) which described the colors of the fluorite.
Similar to Amethyst, Romans believed that drinking from a vessel made of purple fluorite would keep one from becoming intoxicated. Clusters of purple fluorite are considered dream makers and thought to protect one from evil spirits (according to the ancient Chinese). Ancient Egyptians used fluorite when carving scarabs and their statues of the gods and the Chinese used green fluorite as a substitute for Jade. Many different peoples including the Romans, Celts, Britons, American Indians, Germans, and the French all used fluorite to carve into amulets, talismans, deity statues, figurines, decorative bowls, cups and dishes, and totems. The Romans enjoyed the flavor that fluorite gave to the wine that they drank from the vessels they created for it. Emperor Nero is said to have paid the equivalent of approximately $240,000 in today’s money for a single cup made of fluorite.
Metaphysical Uses
Sometimes known as the “Rainbow Keeper” and also the “Genius Stone”, Fluorite is one of the most well known, highly sought after, and various types of crystals in the world. When you first see a cube of fluorite growing naturally out of a cluster of other crystals you may think some Magic is afoot (and you are probably right). It’s simply amazing and so different from other crystals. Maybe because we can picture how crystal points form over time because we were taught how stalactites and stalagmites form when we were children, but a CUBE?! Nature forms fluorite mostly into cubes?! Amazing, simply amazing. A lot of us may not have realized that because we tend to like a beautiful fluorite sphere or wand, which doesn’t betray at all what its original shape was. And while those spheres and points do have a place and a very good purpose, I urge you to try and add a natural fluorite specimen into your collection.
Fluorite inherently radiates a calm, stable frequency of energy and light all the while the universe is in a state of entropy, ever plummeting toward chaos. Fluorite gives us an impression of stability amongst that chaos. While you may be surrounded by uneven and scattered energies that seem to have no discernible direction, fluorite can bring them into balance and harmony. It helps with focus, concentration, and order to one’s life.
It is referred to as the Genius Stone because of its natural aptitude towards higher mental achievement; it helps one absorb new information, work through complex issues, and gives you the ability to discern between right and wrong more easily and readily. The energy fluorite radiates will stimulate your brain, forcing both right and left brain to work more harmoniously together, and soaks up more life force. Joining together the mental, spiritual, and psychic awareness, fluorite will expand your horizons of consciousness. Boosting creativity, it will help you explore avenues you may not yet have thought to endeavor previously.
Because fluorite comes in a variety of colors, you will be able to find different uses for each; that’s what makes it such a necessity in your collection and why it’s such a useful arrow in your proverbial quiver. The purple variety of fluorite focuses more on peace; it can be used in devotional rituals (possibly while meditating) because it will help connect the mind, body, and spirit as one. It will help purify that trinity while working on stimulating your Third Eye Chakra. Similar to Labradorite, it will help increase one’s psychic and/or intuitive abilities. A really neat “off-label” use, so to speak, of the purple fluorite is that of protection while dreaming; keeping you safe from evil and any bad dreams.
Other practical uses of fluorite:
-study and learning tool
-absorb info, improve memorization
-raise the IQ
Fluorite is probably one of the best crystals to give to a student or one who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder because of its abilities to straighten the thoughts out, put them in a more reasonable order, and aid in focus. Fluorite will help the student in your family with their studies without the nasty side effects of a narcotic pharmaceutical.
Blue fluorite, which is one of the most rare in our corner of the globe, is one that gives off a calm energy. This type of fluorite helps us get rid of all those racing thoughts, making way for a more direct, logical type of thinking. It will find what our intentions are so that we can focus more on what matters, guiding our thoughts more clearly. Attuned to the Third Eye and Throat Chakras, it encourages clearer communication, helps with record keeping, inspires gentle honesty, justice, letting go of obsessions, frustrations, and disappointments. Similar to other blue colored stones, it is ideal for work on spiritual awakening and will heal old wounds from past lives as well as present.
Blue John Fluorite specifically aids in change in the realm of personal growth. It helps one become more capricious in a positive way, helps choose an alternate path from the norm, and helps create fresh, new experiences.
Clear fluorite's practical applications:
-like other crystals in their clear form, will aid in mental clarity.
-cleanses and energizes the aura
-shifting perspective
-helps alleviate emotional turmoil
-feelings of guilt
-pressure from others
-enhances energies of other crystals
-Aligning chakras
Green fluorite is a negative energy clearer, fostering renewal and freshness to the chakras. It can also be used for:
-inspires new ideas
-originality and quick thinking
-Heart Chakra
-understand issues of the heart
-releasing emotional trauma
-addictions
-higher good
-aligning the mind with the heart making sure all is line with their true purpose
Rainbow Fluorite uses:
-cleansing and repair of the aura
-activates all chakras
-calms the mind
-promotes free-thinking
-confidence in verbalizing needs and ideas
-rely on your own happiness not getting it from others
-facilitates life changes
As always, if you're buying fluorite for the first time just show us this newsletter and receive 15% off your first piece of fluorite from us.
