Where is Fluorite with Quartz found?
CaF2 (Fluorite) and SiO2 (Quartz)
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Open the appFluorite with Quartz occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Fluorite with Quartz
Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District, USA
Historically one of the world's largest fluorite producing regions, known for beautiful purple, blue, and yellow fluorite crystals often associated with quartz, calcite, and sphalerite in Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits.
Weardale, County Durham, England
Famous for its vibrant green and purple fluorite, often found in association with quartz, barite, and galena in hydrothermal vein deposits within Carboniferous limestones.
Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
Known for spectacular large crystals of various minerals, including fluorite and quartz, in hydrothermal lead-zinc-silver deposits.
Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia, China
Produces exceptional fluorite specimens, often in association with quartz, scheelite, and other minerals from skarn and hydrothermal deposits.
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
A source of high-quality fluorite, often blue or green, found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, frequently associated with quartz, topaz, and schorl.
Collecting tips
- Look for Hydrothermal Veins. Focus your search in areas known for hydrothermal mineralization, particularly where granitic intrusions or fault zones are present in sedimentary or metamorphic rocks.
- Examine Mine Dumps. Old mine dumps from lead, zinc, or silver operations are excellent places to find fluorite and quartz, as they are common gangue minerals in these deposits.
- Check for Characteristic Crystal Forms. Identify the distinct cubic/octahedral forms of fluorite and the hexagonal prisms of quartz. Their intergrowth is a key indicator.
- Test Hardness and Cleavage. Fluorite (Mohs 4) is softer than quartz (Mohs 7). Fluorite's perfect octahedral cleavage is a strong diagnostic feature, while quartz will show conchoidal fracture.
- Observe Color and Luster. The wide range of fluorite colors combined with the vitreous luster of both minerals can help in identification.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Variable (purple, green, blue, yellow, colorless for Fluorite; colorless, white, gray, purple, yellow, pink, brown for Quartz)
- Luster:
- Vitreous (glassy) for both
- Streak:
- White for both
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