Frequently asked questions

• Is fluorite hard enough for everyday jewelry?

  Fluorite sits at Mohs 4 with perfect octahedral cleavage in four directions, which makes it one of the softer stones in regular bead use. It works well for earrings, pendants, and necklaces that don't take direct impact. Bracelets are workable if the wearer is mindful — fluorite will scratch against harder stones, metal findings, and quartz-family beads in a mixed strand. Ring settings aren't recommended. For finished pieces, store fluorite separately or in a soft pouch so harder beads don't abrade the polish, and design around protective bezels or wire-wrap when possible.
• Why does fluorite come in so many colors on one strand?

  Fluorite is naturally allochromatic — pure calcium fluoride is colorless, and trace elements plus natural radiation produce the purples, greens, blues, yellows, and pinks the trade knows. Single crystals often grow in color-zoned bands, so a bead cut across the zoning can show purple-into-green or blue-into-clear within one bead. This is why fluorite strands typically read as multicolor or banded rather than uniform. If your project needs single-color consistency, look for strands described as a specific color (green fluorite, purple fluorite) rather than rainbow or multi-color material.
• Is fluorite usually treated or dyed?

  Fluorite's color range is wide enough naturally that dye is uncommon in the trade — the stone produces vivid purples, greens, blues, and yellows on its own. Most strands are sold as natural, sometimes with a surface polish or light wax to bring up luster on tumbled or smooth-round material. Heat treatment exists but is rare in bead-grade goods. Treatment status should be disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified. Avoid any cleaning solvent that could strip a surface coating if one is present.
• How should I clean fluorite without damaging it?

  Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners — the vibration can propagate fractures along fluorite's cleavage planes, and thermal shock from steam can crack beads outright. Clean with lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft cloth or soft toothbrush around the drill holes. Rinse and pat dry. Keep fluorite away from prolonged sun exposure, since some purple and blue material can fade over years of UV. Don't store fluorite loose with quartz, agate, or other Mohs 7 stones that will scratch the polish during handling.
• What stones get confused with fluorite in the bead trade?

  Calcite (Mohs 3), apatite (Mohs 5), and sphalerite can all show overlapping color ranges with fluorite, particularly in green and purple material. Apatite usually reads more saturated and is harder; calcite is noticeably softer and often more translucent with a waxier luster. The clearest tell for fluorite is its octahedral cleavage, visible as flat reflective planes inside the bead, and its glassy-to-vitreous luster on polished surfaces. Banded color zoning across a single bead is also characteristic. If you're sourcing for a specific look, working from the cut and color description on each listing is more reliable than going by name alone.