42 
No. 2 Ground contains from 96 to 98 per cent of calcium 
fluoride and as much as 2 per cent of silica. 
The ground fluorite is usually of about 85 mesh. 
USES. 
The main use of fluorite is as a flux in the metallurgical 
industries. In the manufacture of basic open-hearth steel, 
large quantities are used to render the high calcium slag employed 
more fluid. No. 3 grade, containing 85 per cent, or more, calcium 
fluoride and about 3 per cent, or less, silica, is specified. In some 
cases fluorite is used as a flux in blast furnace and foundry 
practice. For these purposes the cheapest grades are used. 
Fluorite enters into the composition of the mixture used in 
enameling iron and steel ware. It is used also in the making 
of opal glass. “No. 1 ground,” containing less than a half per 
cent of oxide of iron is specified. Small quantities are used 
in etching glass. 
In the chemical industry, fluorite is employed as a source 
of fluorine in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid and various 
fluorides. For chemical purposes the higher grades are used 
exclusively. 
Fluorspar is employed in the electrolytic refining of lead 
to prepare the lead fluosilicate used as electrolyte, and also in 
the electro-reduction of aluminium. 
PRICES. 
The prices of fluorite for metallurigical purposes, laid down 
at the points of consumption, were reported as varying from 
$5 to $9.50, averaging $7.85. 
For glass and enamelware making the cost reaches as high 
as $35 per ton. 
No figures of imports are available.