mineral
Blue Apatite
Calcium Phosphate Fluoride/Chloride/Hydroxide, Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, vibrant blue to teal color, vitreous to sub-resinous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and poor cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, vibrant blue to teal color, vitreous to sub-resinous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and poor cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, often crystallizing in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a gemstone, in mineral specimen collecting, and as a raw material for phosphate fertilizers.
Geological facts
Apatite is the defining mineral for a hardness of 5 on the Mohs hardness scale and is the main component of tooth enamel and bone in vertebrates.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic hexagonal prisms, distinctive blue coloration, and a Mohs hardness that can be scratched with a knife.
