By Jeff Langevin

 

A few years ago my friend Mala challenged me to write a poem about minerals entitled "Pretty Little Minerals".  Mala writes chemistry poetry (quite good chemistry poetry, in fact) and wanted me to do the same with minerals.  It took me a while to rise to the challenge (aided by Mala's nagging me about it), but finally I bit the bullet one day.  And so here is my poem that really is a tribute to my favorite mineral of all: fluorite.  Enjoy!

"Pretty Little Minerals"
by Jeff Langevin

Pretty little minerals
sitting in my display,
Pondering your formation
often does dismay.

Crystals of colored fluorite
On matrix fine or massive.
Both can be quite nice
Your formation is quite passive

Known as calcium fluoride
or Ca F 2 to many.
In crystal form you can often cost
collectors a pretty penny!

But in nature you are often found
forming what they call the "gangue".
Many would call you worthless then
those people I must harangue.

For as is said in legend
about the beauty and its beholder.
The love between we can't explain
it simply just does smolder.

But digressing I believe I am
from my original thought.
Back on track I will now get
as I'm sure you'll agree I ought.

So why are fluorite crystals
so diff'rent in color and shape?
Pondering this phenomenon
leaves me quite agape!

Very rare those simple cubes are not
in fact they do abound.
From so many different places
they often can be found.

Octahedrons are quite nice
and almost as prevailing.
From China and Pakistan
they're usually found hailing.

Other crystal habits can be found
such as the cubo-octahedron.
But I'll avoid the even more complex
because we'll never get this done!

Displaying you on my little shelf
gives me joy and makes me smile.
But used for many industrial purposes
you have been for a while.

As a flux you can be found
in the process of steel smelting
Your aid avoids the trouble
of these metals never melting.

In optic lenses you are sometimes used
you've lesser light diffraction
Compared to ordinary glass
you've really just a fraction.

In telescopes and cameras
you're services can be found.
Now wonders of the universe
we're able to see abound.

Yet never forget the simplest
of uses in which you're employed.
Your ornamental beauty
by many is quite enjoyed.