Fluorite is sometimes called the colourful gemstone because it comes in a huge variety of colours. The green and purple tones in Cathy's necklace shows how well those two colours can go together. Cathy opted to stay with just fluorite and not mix it with amethyst. She spaced the larger beads with smaller seed beads and tapered the design using smaller beads towards the clasp.

The name of this gemstone comes from the Latin "to flow". It was once used as a flux because it could be more easily melted than other minerals. Sources of fluorite include Argentina, Austria, France, Germany and the US (Illinois actually!)

I like this gemstone not just because it's very pretty but because it is a less expensive alternative to tourmaline. Fluorite is delicate so be gentle with your fluorite jewelry and store them properly in your jewelry box.

References

Amethyst Galleries : http://www.galleries.com/minerals/halides/fluorite/fluorite.htm

International Coloured Gemstone Association : http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/tourmaline.html