Fluorspar fluorescence

J. S. Elsholtz described emission of bluish-white light when fluorspar was heated. Also described by J. G. Wallerius, 1750 the name fluorescence was coined in 1852 by G. G. Stokes 1768 First chemical study of fluorite undertaken by A. S. Marggraf... 

In his first paper3 , Stokes called the observed phenomenon dispersive reflexion, but in a footnote, he wrote I confess I do not like this term. I am almost inclined to coin a word, and call the appearance fluorescence, from fluorspar, as the analogous term opalescence is derived from the name of a mineral. Most of the varieties of fluorspar or fluorspath (minerals containing calcium fluoride (fluorite)) indeed exhibit the property described above. In his second paper7, Stokes definitely resolved to use the word fluorescence (Scheme 1.2). 

We understand now why fluorescence contains the term fluor, but what is the origin of fluorspar or fluorspath and why are these materials fluorescent Spar (in English) and spath (in German) were the names given in the eighteenth century8 to stones that are more or less transparent and crystallized with a lamellar texture. Because these materials can be easily melted, and some of them can help to melt... 

The name fluorescence is related to Cap2 (fluorspar latin mineralis), which... 

The mineral fluorspar or fluorite (CaFj) is about the only mineral that possesses large amounts of fluorine. In fact the words fluorine and fluorescent are derived from fluorite (which is very highly fluorescent). 

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