A variety of colorful fluorite unearthed in Hunan, Jiangxi and Henan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are on display at Shenzhen Museum, echoing the ongoing Muse Fest HK 2017 in Hong Kong.

According to U.S. Geological Survey’s statistics from 2011, the world’s reserve of fluorite is estimated at 230 million tons with the largest deposits being in South Africa (about 41 million tons), Mexico (32 million tons) and China (24 million tons).

Fluorite, the mineral form of calcium fluoride, occurs in a wide range of colors due to natural inclusions. Fluoride fluoresces under ultraviolet light and is known as one the most colorful minerals in the world. The most common colors are purple, blue, green, yellow and clear. Less common are pink, red, white, brown and black. Color zoning or banding is commonly present. The color of the fluorite is determined by factors including impurities, exposure to radiation and the absence or void of the color centers.

“Fluorites are very valuable, from thousands of yuan to hundreds of thousands of yuan,” said Liao Shan, vice curator of Hunan Provincial Geology Museum.

The exhibition is part of the ongoing Muse Fest HK 2017, joined by museums from Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong to enable the public to experience the beauty and wonder of museums. Free lectures on fluorite by geologists will be held July 1 and 8 afternoon.

Dates: Until July 9

Open: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

Venue: Shenzhen Museum, Block A, Civic Center, Futian District (福田区市民中心A区深圳博物馆新馆)

Metro: Line 2 or 4,