Apatite

Apatite group

Common · Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH)

A phosphate mineral group whose carbonated hydroxylapatite makes up the mineral of tooth enamel and bone. The most common phosphate of rocks, present in small amounts in most igneous rocks. Most of the phosphate rock mined, and so most phosphate fertiliser, comes from apatite.

Identity

Formula

Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH)

Chemical class

Phosphate

Members

Fluorapatite, Hydroxylapatite, Chlorapatite

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, Resinous

Colors

green, blue-green, yellow, colorless, pink, brown, purple

Streak

white

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque

Geology

Origins

Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary

Host rocks

Granite, Marble, Limestone and chalk

Associated minerals

Calcite, Diopside, Mica, Magnetite, Scapolite

Found in

Pegmatite, Pegmatite deposit

Geography

Mexico, Brazil, USA, Russia, Germany

Classification

Rarity

Common

Gem quality

Yes

Sources

• Apatite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
• M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
• Fluorapatite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
• J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Fluorapatite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
• Apatite. Gemdat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
• Stephen M. Jasinski (U.S. Geological Survey), Mineral Resource of the Month: Phosphate. EARTH Magazine.
• B. Wopenka, J. D. Pasteris, A mineralogical perspective on the apatite in bone. Materials Science and Engineering C, 25, 131-143, 2005.

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