Creedite

Creedite was named after Creede, Colorado. In the United States of America, creedite is found not only in Colorado but in Arizona and Nevada. Large crystals, about 1 inch long, have been found at the Colquiri mine in Bolivia. Stunning crystals have also come from Mexico and Kazhakstan (like the specimen shown here).

Fluorite

Fluorite crystals have two sets of crystal faces: square faces that define the cubes and rough faces along the edges. Temperature and chemical composition during growth determine which faces dominate. In this fluorite crystal, the square faces dominate. Fluorite's chemical composition is CaF2.

Fluorite

Fluorite typically forms cubic crystals. It is used to manufacture steel and is the main source of fluorine for toothpaste, fluoridated water, coolants, and Teflon.

Fluorite on Calcite

Derived from the latin fluere meaning "to flow", the aptly named Fluorite is commonly used as flux. It is a relatively common mineral which typically occurs in vein deposits. It may be the only mineral present in hydrothermal veins, however, it occurs more commonly as an accessory mineral sometimes with quartz, dolomite, barite, galena, sphalerite, other lead, silver or uranium minerals, and as shown in this specimen, calcite. Fluorite usually occurs as transparent crystals in a great variety of colors. These fluorite crystals show two sets of crystal faces: square faces that define the cubes and rough faces along the edges. Temperature and chemical composition during growth determined which faces dominated.

Fluorite on Calcite

Fluorite crystals have two sets of crystal faces: square faces that define the cubes and rough faces along the edges. Temperature and chemical composition during growth determine which faces are dominate. In this fluorite crystal, grown on calcite, the square faces dominate.

Fluorite on Quartz

Fluorite crystals have two sets of crystal faces: square faces that define the cubes and rough faces along the edges. Temperature and chemical composition during growth determine which faces dominate. In this fluorite crystal, grown on quartz, the rough faces dominate. Fluorite's chemical composition is CaF2.

Halite

All halite crystals, including table salt, possess the same cubic shape. The cubic shape is based on the internal arrangement of the atoms. The chemical composition of halite is NaCl.

Halite

All halite crystals, including table salt, possess the same cubic shape. The cubic shape is based on the internal arrangement of the atoms. The chemical composition of halite is NaCl.