mineral

Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: typically green, blue, or violet; Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.16-3.22

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale
Color: typically green, blue, or violet
Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous

Identified June 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5 on Mohs scale; Color: typically green, blue, or violet; Luster: Vitreous to sub-resinous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.16-3.22

Formation & geological history

Commonly forms in igneous rocks like pegmatites and metamorphic rocks such as marble. It can also be found in sedimentary deposits as phosphate rock. It can form in various geological ages ranging from Precambrian to recent.

Uses & applications

Main source of phosphorus for chemical fertilizers. Gem-quality specimens are used in jewelry. Also used as a starting material for phosphoric acid and as a biological mineral found in teeth and bones.

Geological facts

Apatite is the index mineral for hardness level 5 on the Mohs scale. Its name is derived from the Greek word 'apatein', which means 'to deceive', because it was often confused with other minerals like olivine or beryl.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hexagonal crystal habit and its hardness (it can barely be scratched by a knife but it cannot scratch glass). Commonly found in Brazil, Myanmar, Mexico, and Canada.