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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals A-E |
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Apatite |
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Name
Apatite
Chemistry
Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)
Uses
Main source of phosphorus and mineral specimen
Color
Colorless, blue, green, pink, purple, red, reddish brown, violet, white, yellow, multicolored
Hardness
5.0
Specific gravity
3.1 - 3.2
Crystals
Hexagonal
Accompanied by:
Aegirine, Anatase, Cassiterite, Feldspar, Leucite, Magnetite, Nepheline, Phlogopite, Quartz, Rutile
Fracture
Conchoidal.
Luster
Vitreous to greasy
Cleavage
Indiscernible in one basal direction.
Streak
White
Similar to:
Calcite, Hornblende, Micas, Nepheline
Apatite is named after the Greek word apate, which means "deceit", since it has a similar appearance to minerals, like Beryl, Peridot and Olivine.
Apatite is made up of three different minerals, depending on the predominance of either fluorine, chlorine or the hydroxyl group.
Found mainly in various igneous and metamorphic rocks, however they are found in carbonatites and sedimentary rocks.
Due to the phosphate content, apatite crystals are usually small and can be hard to detect in thin section.
It is soluble in HCI, and is often flourescent or thermoluminescent.
Normaly forms hexagonal crystals ans also occurs as flat, tabular plates, columnar, in globular masses, acicular, grainy, stalactitic, and earthy.
It is mainly used as a source of phosphates for fertilizer.
Mainly found in Brazil, Canada, East Africa, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Sweden
