Where to Find Fluorite in Alaska: 3 Mapped Sites
Alaska has 3 documented sites where fluorite have been reported, and the best-known are Glacier Basin, North Mosquito Flats, and Columbia Group. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fluorite Map: Alaska
All 3 fluorite sites in Alaska. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fluorite Are Found in Alaska
Fluorite fills low-temperature veins and flat-lying beds in limestone, classically alongside galena and sphalerite. Old fluorspar-district dumps and limestone-hosted veins are the productive ground.
The richest reported sites in Alaska: Glacier Basin, North Mosquito Flats, Columbia Group.
All Fluorite Sites in Alaska
- Glacier Basin — Forest Service
- North Mosquito Flats — BLM/Public Lands
- Columbia Group — BLM/Public Lands
How to Identify Fluorite
Fluorite forms glassy cubes in purple, green, yellow, or blue, and its octahedral cleavage is the tell: corners cleave off a cube cleanly, and broken pieces show triangular flat faces. Hardness 4 — a knife scratches it, which instantly separates it from quartz or amethyst. Many pieces fluoresce blue-violet under UV, the mineral that named the effect.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find fluorite in Alaska?
Alaska has 3 mapped sites where fluorite have been reported. The best-known are Glacier Basin, North Mosquito Flats, and Columbia Group. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fluorite sites are mapped in Alaska?
We have 3 documented fluorite sites in Alaska, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fluorite in Alaska?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify fluorite?
Fluorite forms glassy cubes in purple, green, yellow, or blue, and its octahedral cleavage is the tell: corners cleave off a cube cleanly, and broken pieces show triangular flat faces. Hardness 4 — a knife scratches it, which instantly separates it from quartz or amethyst. Many pieces fluoresce blue-violet under UV, the mineral that named the effect.
What should I bring to collect fluorite?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.