mineral

Apatite

Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)

Hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale; green, blue, yellow, or purple colors; vitreous to sub-resinous luster; hexagonal crystal system; poor cleavage; specific gravity around 3.1 - 3.2

Identified July 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale; green, blue, yellow, or purple colors; vitreous to sub-resinous luster; hexagonal crystal system; poor cleavage; specific gravity around 3.1 - 3.2

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, often crystallizing as an accessory mineral in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Primary source of phosphorus for fertilizer manufacturing, used in specialty gemstone collections, and as a flux in metallurgy.

Geological facts

Apatite is the defining mineral for a hardness of 5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is also the mineral group that makes up the main component of teeth and bones in vertebrates.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive hexagonal crystal form, 5 Mohs hardness (can be scratched by a knife), and typical green or blue coloration. Found worldwide, notably in Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada.