Pink Fluorite
Pink fluorite is the pink to red color variety of fluorite, the natural calcium fluoride mineral CaF₂. It is rare: the International Gem Society calls pink gems rare, and classic pink crystals are octahedra from Alpine fissures. The color is attributed to a (YO₂) color center, oxygen stabilized by trace yttrium and activated by natural radiation.
Products made with this material
No products for this material yet.
Full material guide
What the material is, where it comes from or how it is made, identification and care, from the cited sources.
Properties
| Nature | Natural mineral (color variety of fluorite) |
| Mineral species | Fluorite (halide); a color variety, not a separate species |
| Chemical formula | CaF₂ |
| Color | Pale pink to pinkish red, rarely intense raspberry red; color may be uneven within a crystal |
| Cause of color | (YO₂) color center (absorption at about 485 nm), linked to trace yttrium (about 170–278 ppm measured in studied samples) and natural irradiation |
| Mohs hardness | 4 |
| Specific gravity | About 3.18 (3.0 to 3.25 for impure massive material) |
| Refractive index | 1.432 to 1.434 (isotropic) |
| Cleavage | Perfect in four directions (octahedral) |
| Possible treatments | Heating (about 100–150 °C) can lighten dark color; irradiation can darken colorless or pale material to blue, green or purple; decorative objects may be coated, dyed or impregnated with plastic |
Origins & sources
Classic pink fluorite forms as octahedral crystals, usually under 3 cm, on quartz in Alpine fissures of the Aar Massif (Switzerland) and Mont Blanc Massif (France); a large find was made at Planggenstock, canton of Uri, in 2019. Other sources include Huanzala (Peru), Chamonix (Switzerland), the Hunza Valley (Pakistan) and the Huanggang skarn deposit (China); large pink gems from Korea are held by the Smithsonian.
Identification
Pink fluorite has fluorite's very low refractive index (about 1.43), single refraction, hardness 4 and perfect cleavage. Pink crystals studied from Planggenstock contain two-phase fluid inclusions in tetrahedral negative crystals and fine chlorite layers. Fluorescence is common but not diagnostic, since not all fluorite fluoresces. Color can be lightened by heating or deepened by irradiation, and decorative pieces may be coated, dyed or plastic-impregnated.
Care
Like all fluorite, it is soft (Mohs 4) and cleaves easily, so ring wear is not recommended; pendants, earrings and protective settings suit occasional wear. Store it apart from harder gems and out of strong light, since some fluorite fades with prolonged light exposure. Fluorite is slightly soluble in water: do not soak it, clean it only with a warm damp cloth, mild detergent and a soft brush, and avoid mechanical cleaning systems.
History
Not collected yet
Cultural meanings
Pascle, a Japanese retailer, says fluorite is sometimes called the "stone of genius", and that pink fluorite is said to calm the mind, nurture a kind heart and bring luck in love.
Traditional beliefs
Not collected yet
Collected Oct 23, 2026
- Gem-quality pink fluorite from Planggenstock, Switzerland: chemical and physical properties and a comparison with pink fluorites from other localities Hügi M.F., Krzemnicki M.S., Wälle M. (Swiss Gemmological Society / SSEF), 38th International Gemmological Conference 2025 · Accessed Oct 23, 2026 OverviewPropertiesOrigins & sourcesIdentification
- Color Centers, Associated Rare-Earth Ions and the Origin of Coloration in Natural Fluorites (Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 3: 117–131, 1978) Bill H. & Calas G., via Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) · Accessed Oct 23, 2026 OverviewProperties
- Fluorite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information International Gem Society (Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA) · Accessed Oct 23, 2026 OverviewPropertiesOrigins & sourcesIdentificationCare
- Pascle stone guide: Pink Fluorite Pascle (Japanese retailer; trade claims only) · Accessed Oct 23, 2026 Cultural meanings