As fluorite was only recognised from the 18th Century as an individual stone, no specific, documented history dates back to ancient times. It has been surmised that some mentions of topaz glass or other fragile stones may reference fluorite.

The stone is widely sourced globally in over 9000 areas, and the world reserves are estimated at around 230 million tonnes. The largest deposits are found in South Africa, China and Mexico.

Crystal twinning is a common occurrence in fluorite, and the stone has four perfectly formed cleavage planes that aid in the production of octahedral fragments.

Fluorite is found in various colours, and the strength of fluorescence varies by the location of the source. It is a brittle stone with a vitreous lustre rated as a four on the Mohs scale.