Fluorite

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Revision as of 12:50, 23 November 2007 by Doos (talk | contribs) (added thermoluminescence)
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Fluorite
Chemical composition CaF2

Calcium fluoride

Crystal system Cubic
Habit Octahedral, cubes, interpenetrant twins
Cleavage Perfect, octahedral
Fracture Conchoidal
Hardness 4
Optic nature Isotropic
Refractive index 1.434
Birefringence Isotropic
Dispersion Very low, 0.007
Specific gravity 3.18
Lustre Poor vitreous
Fluorescence Bluish-white, purple (LW)
Fluorite


Diagnostics

Thermoluminescence

FLuorite may luminesce when heated. The stored energy from UV radiation is released if heated to a certain temperature and the effect depends on the amount of stored energy.
One can see this when a small amount of fluorite is placed on a teaspoon and heated over a candle for a few minutes (in a dark room).
Material from Telemark, Norway will show a blue-green thermoluminescence.