Rainbow Fluorite

What is Rainbow Fluorite

A popular mineral, fluorite occurs naturally in all colors of the spectrum including colorless, blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, brown and black. When fluorite is multicolored or banded, it is referred to as rainbow fluorite.

Rainbow fluorite is a type of fluorite that exhibits a range of colors, often in a rainbow-like pattern. It is formed when fluorite crystals are exposed to certain types of radiation, such as ultraviolet light. The radiation causes the fluorite to fluoresce, or emit light of a different color.

The colors that are emitted depend on the type of radiation and the impurities that are present in the fluorite. These elements absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light, causing the fluorite to glow in a rainbow of colors.

Rainbow Fluorite

How rainbow fluorite forms

Here is a more detailed explanation of how rainbow fluorite forms:

• Fluorite is a mineral that is composed of calcium and fluorine. It is a common mineral and can be found in a variety of rocks and minerals.
• When fluorite crystals are exposed to trace amounts of certain elements, such as manganese, uranium, and thorium, these elements can be incorporated into the crystal structure.
• These elements absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light. This is why rainbow fluorite glows in a rainbow of colors when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Rainbow fluorite is typically found in hydrothermal veins, which are formed when hot water and dissolved minerals rise through the Earth's crust. The hot water and minerals interact with the surrounding rocks, and the fluorite crystals form as a result of this interaction.

Rainbow fluorite is most commonly found in China, Mexico, and the United States. It is a popular mineral for collectors and jewelry makers.
 

Rainbow Fluorite Slab. Photo: Krystal Realm