mineral

Blue Apatite

Calcium Fluorophosphate - Ca5(PO4)3F

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: Neon blue to greenish-blue; Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous; Crystal System: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.16 to 3.22.

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale
Color: Neon blue to greenish-blue
Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous

Identified July 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: Neon blue to greenish-blue; Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous; Crystal System: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.16 to 3.22.

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. Typically occurs in pegmatites and metamorphic limestone. Can be found in rocks from the Proterozoic to recent eras.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a source of phosphorus for fertilizer. High-quality specimens are used in jewelry (though soft) and for spiritual or collector purposes.

Geological facts

Apatite is the mineral that defines index 5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It is also the same mineral that makes up human teeth and bones.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its blue-to-teal color, vitreous luster, and its softness (it can be scratched by a steel knife). Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Mexico. Collectors value the intense 'neon' blue variety.