Apatite

Apatite Crystal

Apatite is the name given to a group of phosphate minerals that are widely distributed in all rock types, usually in tiny crystals spread throughout the host rock. It is often green in color but can also be blue, or yellow. It can form large crystals in contact metamorphic rocks. It is the mineral that makes up tooth enamel in all vertebrate animals. It is sometimes used to make phosphate fertilizer.

Apatite is a mineral of medium hardness and is used to represent 5 on the Mohs scale.

Mineral Properties

Chemical Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH)
Color(s): blues, greens, blue green can be colorless, pink, or brown
Streak: white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal Habits: Tabular, prismatic crystals, massive
Specific Gravity: About 3.16–3.22
Hardness (Mohs): 5
Cleavage: indistinct
Fracture: conchoidal
Uses: Phosphate fertilizer, Mineral Specimens, jewelry and ornamentals

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