# Apatite

Apatite is a beautiful mineral that comes in many colors like blue, green, and purple. It is often used in making jewelry and can be found in rocks around the world.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Phosphate Mineral

![Apatite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Apatit_aus_Renfrew_in_Kanada.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apatit_aus_Renfrew_in_Kanada.jpg)

## Appearance

The Apatite is a vibrant mineral often forming striking hexagonal crystals. It comes in a wide spectrum of colors, including lush greens, deep blues, sunny yellows, and rare purples. Its distinct crystal shape and diverse hues help distinguish it.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Astronauts discovered Apatite on the Moon, bringing samples back!
- Giant Apatite crystals weighing over 200 tons have been found!
- It's often mistaken for gemstones like amethyst or topaz!
- Its name means 'deceitful' because it looks like many other minerals!

## Special abilities

- **The Bone Builder:** Apatite is the main mineral found in your bones and teeth, giving them strength and structure!
- **Glow Power:** Some Apatite can glow amazing colors when exposed to special ultraviolet light, creating a cool effect!
- **Fertilizer Friend:** Apatite provides vital phosphorus, making it a key ingredient in plant fertilizers for healthy growth.
- **Gemstone Imposter:** Apatite is often mistaken for valuable gemstones due to its varied colors and crystal forms.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** green, blue, yellow, colorless, purple, pink, brown
- **Hardness:** 5
- **Luster:** vitreous to greasy
- **Specific Gravity:** 3.1
- **Crystal System:** hexagonal

## Traits

- [Vitreous Luster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/vitreous-luster): Vitreous luster describes a mineral's appearance when reflecting light, resembling glass, often translucent or transparent.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Fluorescent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fluorescent): Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light or other non-visible radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.
- [Glowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/glowing): Pertaining to organisms that emit light through bioluminescence or fluorescence.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Apatite is safe to handle, but it's best to enjoy its beauty without touching it too much.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Apatite?

Compare crystal faces, growth shape, clarity and how the crystals cluster. A polished or tumbled stone has lost much of the natural shape that makes identification easier. Crystal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Apatite be?

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

### How hard is Apatite?

5

### What kind of luster does Apatite have?

vitreous to greasy

### What is Apatite's specific gravity?

3.1

### What crystal system does Apatite belong to?

hexagonal

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Apatite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/apatite)