With a Mohs hardness of 4.0, glassy appearance and being available in so many different color combinations, fluorite has been a favorite carving medium for centuries. Fluorite will also cleave easily, breaking into smaller, flat shapes identical to the original crystal. Unfortunately because it is such a fragile and soft material, many fluorite artifacts have been found damaged. Some of these items include effigies from South America (there are a lot of fluorite mines in Peru) carved vessels and statuary found in the area of Pompeii and carved scarabs and beads from early China. Early Rome fell in love with the many colors of fluorite and its citizens believed that cups carved of purple fluorite worked the same as those made of amethyst, meaning that one would be protected from intoxication while drinking wine from them. The best known fluorite of all time is called Blue John from Castleton, England. This beautiful translucent material with elaborate bands of blues, purple, and white was mined from the mid 1700s until the deposit depleted. Antique collectors are very familiar with resin-treated John Blue fluorite, it having been used as the bases of ornamental lamps, goblets, bowls, and ornamental vases for England's great mansions. Queen Elizabeth II still owns a magnificent chalice made of this John Blue material. Even today, large vases and vessels are carved from fluorite, as well as small to miniature ornamental pieces.
A small statue of Buddha, carved out of multi-color fluorite. Private collection, Skye Thompson.