Apatite Gem
Curated by Maggie Liu · Updated:
About Apatite Gemextended article
Gem apatite is the transparent, facet-grade form of apatite, a calcium phosphate that is the most abundant phosphate mineral and the material of bone and tooth enamel. Cut stones occur in a wide range of colours; the vivid neon blue-green 'Paraíba-like' apatite from Madagascar and Brazil and the violet-blue stones from Myanmar are especially prized.
Properties
Apatite is hexagonal and forms prismatic crystals, but it is comparatively soft (5 on the Mohs scale) — soft enough that it defines that point on the scale — which makes faceted apatite better suited to collectors and protected jewellery than to everyday rings. Some blue-green material is strongly pleochroic and may show a cat's-eye when cut as a cabochon.
Occurrence
Gem apatite comes from Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar and East Africa, forming in pegmatites, metamorphic rocks and carbonatites. It is the gem form of the species apatite.
Frequently asked questions
What crystal system does Apatite Gem belong to?
Apatite Gem crystallises in the Hexagonal crystal system.
Is Apatite Gem rare?
As a collector mineral, Apatite Gem is generally considered rare.
Related minerals
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