Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Valzergues, Aveyron, France
SIZE : 10.5 x 5.5 cm; Crystal: 4 x 3 cm

There are two yellow fluorite samples under this reference number. The photograph shows the biggest one.

It measures 10.5 x 5.5 cm and the fluorite cubes faces measure 3 cm on the average. This fluorite shows an association of almost parfect cubes which are yellow-honey and sometimes transparent.

Coming from the Valzergues mines in Aveyron area, France, this sample was acquired thanks to support from Total. It is kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Fluorite

HISTORY : Name derived from Latin "fluere" meaning flowing, in reference to its melting behavior

Species first described in 1529 by Agricola Georgius (1494-1555), German mineralogist

Type-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients
ANCIENT NAME : Spatum vitreum, calx fluorata, spath fluor

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ca F2
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Cubic
COLOR : Colourless, white, blue, green, yellow, violet, pink
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Well-formed crystals, cubic-shaped, octahedrally-shaped
HARDNESS : 4
DENSITY : 3,18

CHEMICAL CLASS : III - Halogénures
GROUP : Fluorite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 3/A.08-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 3.AB.25

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MNHN N°195.210

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