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Minerals »
Apatite
Apatite - Mineral Properties and Uses |
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What is Apatite? |
Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals which includes: fluorapatite, chlorapatite, hydroxylapatite, carbonate-rich apatite and francolite. The term "apatite" is often used for fluorapatite, the most common of these minerals. Apatite is found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The most extensive deposits are the sedimentary "phosphate rocks", which are mined to produce phosphate fertilizer. |
Uses |
The primary use of apatite is in the manufacture of fertilizer - it is a source of phosphorus. It is occasionally used as a gemstone. Apatite also serves as an index mineral of Mohs hardness scale with a hardness of five. |
Color |
green, brown, blue, yellow, violet, colorless |
Streak |
white |
Luster |
vitreous to subresinous |
Diaphaneity |
transparent to translucent |
Cleavage |
poor |
Hardness |
5 |
Specific Gravity |
3.1 - 3.2 |
Distinguishing
Characteristics |
easy to recognize by color, crystal form, and hardness, can be scratched with a steel knife blade |
Crystal System |
hexagonal |
Chemical Classification |
phosphate |
Chemical Composition |
a variety of calcium phosphates
- fluorapatite: Ca5(PO4)3F
- hydroxylapatite: Ca5(PO4)3(OH)
- chlorapatite: Ca5(PO4)3Cl
- carbonate-rich apatite/francolite: Ca5(PO4,CO3)3(F,O)
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Apatite from Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Apatite Crystal from Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across.
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Apatite Crystal from Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across.
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A cabochon cut from apatite from the Kola Peninsula (Khibiny Region) of Russia.
This gemstone is approximately 24 millimeters by 18 millimeters.
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Apatite cabochon with a cat's eye from Sri Lanka.
The gemstone is approximately 3 carats, and 9 millimeters by 7 millimeters.
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More Information About Minerals!
Mineral photographs that appear on this page with a Geology.com copyright mark are property of Geology.com and may not be used beyond our website. If you like these photos and would like to share them with others please link to this page or email its URL. The photos were taken and composed by Ann Bryant.
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