mineral
Blue Apatite
Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH))
Hardness: 5 on the Mohs scale, Color: Vivid blue, green, or yellow, Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal, Cleavage: Poor, Specific Gravity: 3.1-3.2
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 on the Mohs scale, Color: Vivid blue, green, or yellow, Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal, Cleavage: Poor, Specific Gravity: 3.1-3.2
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, often as an accessory mineral in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a source of phosphate for fertilizers, in gemstone jewelry for collectors, and in metaphysical practices.
Geological facts
Apatite is the defining mineral for a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. Teeth and bones are composed of a hydroxylapatite form.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive hexagonal crystal form, specific hardness of 5, and often vibrant blue or green coloration. Found worldwide, notably in Madagascar, Brazil, and Russia.
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