Rocks, Minerals & Ores
Mineral Sequence in the Cady Mountains
Fluorite
CaF2 (octahedral)Ludlow, Mojave Desert, CA
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Mineral Sequence in the Cady Mountains
Near the town of Ludlow in California’s Mojave Desert, fluorite makes a vivid appearance among the volcanic rock layers and mineral veins. Known for its brilliant colors—ranging from deep purples and greens to clear and yellow—and its sharp octahedral shapes, fluorite here crystallized as part of a dynamic geologic process involving hydrothermal fluids and volcanic activity. As these fluids cooled in fractures and cavities, calcium and fluoride ions came together to form this striking mineral. Fluorite isn’t just a beauty for collectors; it also holds industrial importance in steelmaking, ceramics, and optics. In the field, Ludlow specimens may show twin crystals and even color zoning, adding to their appeal. Each fluorite find in the area provides a clue about the region’s ancient thermal systems and the quiet but powerful forces that built this desert landscape over millions of years.