mineral
Blue apatite crystals
Apatite group, commonly fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectRough, translucent turquoise-blue fragments with vitreous luster. Apatite has hexagonal crystals, Mohs hardness 5, and indistinct cleavage; color alone cannot confirm identification.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Blue apatite crystals in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Rough, translucent turquoise-blue fragments with vitreous luster. Apatite has hexagonal crystals, Mohs hardness 5, and indistinct cleavage; color alone cannot confirm identification.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and in phosphate-rich deposits; crystals can also occur in hydrothermal veins. The image does not allow the specimen’s age or origin to be determined.
Uses & applications
Transparent, well-formed apatite is cut as a collector gemstone; most rough material is collected rather than used industrially.
Geological facts
Apatite is the mineral that defines Mohs hardness 5. Similar blue rough can include tourmaline, beryl, or glass, so testing or professional examination is needed for a firm ID.
Field identification & locations
The pieces look like small, irregular blue crystals, but the photo is insufficient for a certain identification. The reported Ethiopian locality makes apatite plausible, though locality alone is not diagnostic; hardness and specific gravity tests can help distinguish alternatives.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary