A soft mineral (calcium fluoride) that is fluorescent in ultraviolet light; chief source of fluorine; SYN. fluorspar, fluor.
Or fluorspar; A glassy, brittle mineral, calcium fluoride CaF2, forming cubes and octahedra; colorless when pure, otherwise violet or green.
Fluorite is used as a flux in iron and steel making; colorless fluorite is used in the manufacture of microscope lenses. It is also used for the glaze on pottery, and as a source of fluorine in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid.