A minor ore of iron. Used in production of hydrofluoric acid, and as a flux in steel making. The fluorine used in fluoridation of public drinking water supplies and toothpastes comes from fluorite. 1 direction Green to brown 3.2 Massive and granular. High quality crystals are used as semiprecious gemstones.
Most important use is as source of phosphate for fertilizers.
Often look like long, skinny rods. Commonly occur in cleavage fragments or granular masses. In bladed aggregates. Cleavage parallel to length of crystals. Used in manufacture of spark plugs and other high refractory porcelains.