mineral
Apatite
Calcium phosphate fluoride/chloride, Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, colors range from green, blue, yellow, to purple, vitreous to greasy luster, hexagonal crystal system, poor cleavage, specific gravity around 3.1-3.2
Identified More mineral →
Explore Apatite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, colors range from green, blue, yellow, to purple, vitreous to greasy luster, hexagonal crystal system, poor cleavage, specific gravity around 3.1-3.2
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, often found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins
Uses & applications
Primarily used in the production of fertilizer (as a source of phosphorus), sometimes cut as gemstones for collectors
Geological facts
Apatite is the defining mineral for a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. It is also the main component of teeth and bones in vertebrates.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its distinctive hexagonal crystal form and hardness of 5, which can be scratched by a knife but not by a copper coin. Found worldwide including Mexico, Brazil, and Madagascar.
