mineral
Blue Apatite
Calcium phosphate fluorapatite, Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, vibrant blue-to-teal color, vitreous luster, and hexagonal crystal system with poor cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, vibrant blue-to-teal color, vitreous luster, and hexagonal crystal system with poor cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of phosphate-rich fluids and hydrothermal activity.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in the production of phosphate fertilizers, as a gemstone in jewelry, and prized by mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Apatite is the defining mineral for a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale and is chemically identical to the primary mineral component of teeth and bones.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct blue color and Mohs hardness of 5, commonly sourced from Madagascar, Brazil, and India.
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