Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Apatite |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH) |
| Mohs hardness | 5 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Form | Lot / parcel |
| You receive | The exact lot pictured |
About this specimen
Apatite is a phosphate mineral best known in the gem trade for its saturated blue-green color, caused by trace manganese and other impurities. It’s relatively soft for a gemstone at Mohs 5, which is part of why it’s more often seen tumbled or cabbed than faceted for hard wear.
This set of seven tumbled stones shows apatite’s range within one blue family, from deep teal to lighter sky-blue tones, with some pieces showing natural white or brown matrix veining. Nice for a pocket-stone collection or for wire-wrapping projects. Because apatite is soft and can scratch, keep these separate from harder stones in storage.
Inside Apatite
The literal reference point for hardness 5 on the Mohs scale — and the same mineral family as your tooth enamel.
The story: Apatite is so universally available that Friedrich Mohs picked it as the literal number 5 reference point on the hardness scale that still bears his name. Gem-quality apatite crystallizes in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins in blue, green, purple, and yellow depending on trace elements — and it’s also the source mineral behind roughly 90% of the world’s phosphate fertilizer.
Why collectors chase it: Rich, saturated color at an accessible price point, plus a genuinely fun fact: the hydroxylapatite in your own teeth and bones is chemically the same mineral family.
Care: Mohs 5 is soft for a gemstone — store away from harder stones that could scratch it, and clean with a soft cloth only (no ultrasonic or steam cleaning).
Apatite: the science
- Tooth enamel is made of hydroxylapatite. Fluoride works by swapping into the structure and making it more acid-resistant.
- Most of the world’s phosphate fertilizer comes from apatite-rich rock.
- The name comes from the Greek for “to deceive,” because apatite was so often mistaken for other minerals.
Go deeper
Want the full story on apatite: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is apatite?
Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral. It is the reference mineral for 5 on the Mohs hardness scale, and a close relative of the mineral in your teeth and bones.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 5 on the Mohs scale. Mohs 5, softer than quartz. Store apart from harder stones to protect the polish, and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
Is this the exact lot I will receive?
Yes. This lot was photographed as a group, and you receive the pieces shown.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.