Apatite
Real mineral · common · Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH)
A phosphate mineral group and the main component of tooth enamel and bone. The sole phosphate mineral to occur in quantity in igneous rocks. Defines hardness 5 on the Mohs scale.
Identity
- Formula
- Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH)
- Chemical class
- phosphate
- Mineral group
- Mimetite, Pyromorphite, Vanadinite
- Also known as
- Moroxite (blue-green variety), Asparagus stone (yellow-green)
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- hexagonal
- Habits
- prismatic, tabular, massive, nodular
- Fracture
- conchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.2 g/cm³
- Luster
- vitreous, waxy
- Colors
- green, blue-green, yellow, colorless, pink, brown, purple
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
Geology
- Origins
- igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
- Host rocks
- granite, pegmatite, marble, phosphorite
- Associated minerals
- Quartz, Calcite, Tourmaline, feldspar
- Geography
- Mexico, Brazil, USA, Russia, Germany
Classification
- Rarity
- common
- Gem quality
- Yes
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