Zones in your Fluorite, why are they there?
Channel: The Crystalary
Date: 2024-03-22

Zones in your Fluorite, why are they there?

Zoning is evidence of crystal growth. These zones are the result of changes in pressure or temperature during crystallization. It can also be caused by variances in the mineral solutions surrounding the crystal as it grew. We see a lot of amazing zoning from the Lady Annabella and Diana Maria mines, which is part of the allure these specimens create. A zone itself means a mineral is unstable as the diffusion of the various minerals in those fluid solutions was not fast enough as the crystal grew. You have three kinds of zoning, concentric where they appear to grow around a single point, Oscillatory, or quick short lived changes in growth resulting in many zones and sectoral which is commonly found in complex crystal habits. 

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