mineral

Green-and-gold apatite-bearing rock, possibly epidote skarn

Apatite-group mineral, commonly fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F), with probable epidote and quartz; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Glassy to resinous luster, translucent pale green to honey-yellow and brown zones, granular/irregular crystal texture, and no obvious cleavage. Apatite hardness is Mohs 5; epidote is 6–7, with specific gravity roughly 3.1–3.5.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Green-and-gold apatite-bearing rock, possibly epidote skarn
Scientific name: Apatite-group mineral, commonly fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F), with probable epidote and quartz; exact identification requires testing
Category: mineral
Identified: August 11, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a small common rough specimen; $50–$200+ if crystals are unusually vivid, transparent, or well documented.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a hydrothermal or contact-metamorphic skarn or mineralized vein formed when hot fluids altered carbonate or igneous host rock, generally during a regional intrusive event rather than at a precisely determinable age.

Uses & applications

Apatite is used mainly for phosphate fertilizer and occasionally as a gemstone; epidote and mixed specimens are chiefly collector material, while skarn itself has limited construction value.

Geological facts

The vivid green color may reflect epidote, chlorite, or chromium-bearing minerals rather than apatite alone; visible color is insufficient for a confident species identification.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found near granitic intrusions and metamorphosed limestone, including localities in Mexico, Pakistan, Brazil, Norway, and the United States. Check streak, hardness, cleavage, crystal form, and use a gemological or mineralogical test for confirmation.