APATITE - Has an unusual "partially dissolved" look similar to the look of previously sucked on hard candy.
CHEMISTRY: Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY: Hexagonal; 6/m
Crystal Habits include the typical hexagonal prism with the hexagonal pyramid or a pinacoid or both as a termination. Also accicular, granular, reniform and massive. A cryptocrystalline variety is called collophane and can make up a rock type called phosphorite and also can replace fossil fragments.
REFRACTIVE INDEX: 1.632 - 1.42, (variable with composition)
HARDNESS: 5
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 3.10 - 3.35
CLEAVAGE: Poor
HEAT SENSITIVE: Yes, very.
COLOR: Typically green but also colorless, white, yellow, brown, red, pink, purple, blue. Some specimens are multicolored.
CLEAVAGE: Indistinct in one basal direction.
FRACTURE: Conchoidal
Luster is vitreous to greasy and gumdrop-like. Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals: Hornblende, micas, nepheline and calcite. Commonly occurs with quartz; feldspar; rutile; magnetite; nepheline; leucite; phlogopite; cassiterite; anatase.
Notable Occurrences include Durango, Mexico; Bancroft, Ontario; Germany and Russia. Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, hardness and look.
SPECIAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Very heat sensitive, clean with warm or room temperature soap and water. Avoid wearing gem where it will get rough treatment.
Apatite is actually three different minerals depending on the predominance of either fluorine, chlorine or the hydroxyl group. These ions can freely substitute in the crystal lattice and all three are usually present in every specimen although some specimens have been close to 100% in one or the other. The rather non-inventive names of these minerals are Fluorapatite, Chlorapatite and Hydroxylapatite. The three are usually considered together due to the difficulty in distinguishing them in hand samples using ordinary methods.
Apatite is widely distributed in all rock types; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, but is usually just small disseminated grains or cryptocrystalline fragments. Apatite is essential in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, and is very important in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Large, well formed crystals can be found in certain contact metamorphic rocks. Very gemmy crystals of apatite can be cut as gems, but the softness of apatite prevents wide distribution or acceptance of apatite as a gemstone. Apatite is also a popular collectors mineral, and some transparent specimens are faceted for collectors.
An irony of the name apatite is that apatite is the mineral that makes up the teeth in all vertebrate animals as well as their bones. (Apatite - teeth..?) Anyway, the name apatite comes from a Greek word meaning “to deceive” (in allusion to its similarity to other more valuable minerals such as olivine, peridot and beryl).
Metaphysical Properties include:
- Strengthens muscle tissue, aids in coordinating basic motor responses. Assists people suffering from stuttering and used in the treatment of hypertension.
- Yellow-green apatite can be used in ritual work designed to rid oneself of negative self-image, feelings of inadequacy, shyness, or shame, and can be used to help one to accept and open themselves to love, comfort, and support. This stone is especially helpful in those who feel "ugly" or "fat", as it helps to improve body image and release the feelings associated with this type of negativity.
BLUE APATITE - Astrological Sign of Gemini
- Stimulates intellect. Balances emotional, intellectual, physical and etheric bodies. Aids in meditation and reflection, balance of yin-yang, self-insight, inner clarity, creativity and oneness with the higher-self.
- Blue apatite, which is actually a deep aqua color, may be used to aid in ridding oneself of guilt, grief, and excessive sensitivity to other people's problems (especially useful for Pisceans, who tend to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders).
- Blue apatite is also useful in ritual work designed to release pain and open oneself up to joy, peace and beauty. Also may be used to aid the immune system.
