mineral
Blue Apatite
Fluorapatite / Chlorapatite / Hydroxylapatite (Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH))
Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep teal-blue to blue-green; Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous; Crystal system: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific gravity: 3.16-3.22
- Hardness
- 5 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Deep teal-blue to blue-green
- Luster
- Vitreous to sub-resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep teal-blue to blue-green; Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous; Crystal system: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific gravity: 3.16-3.22
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily in igneous pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks such as skarns and marbles. It crystallizes during the late stages of magmatic differentiation.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a source of phosphorus for agricultural fertilizers. High-grade specimens are cut as gemstones for jewelry or collected as mineral specimens.
Geological facts
Apatite is the defining mineral for hardness 5 on the Mohs scale. Biological apatite is also the main constituent of tooth enamel and bones in mammals.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its distinctive teal-blue color, vitreous luster, and moderate hardness of 5 (can be scratched by a steel knife). Commonly found in Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, and Russia.
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