Apatite - a mineral of many colors

Stanisław Kozłowski | Rockstar

Apatyt

The mineral's name comes from the ancient Greek word ἀπατάω (apatáō), which means as much as "to deceive," "to deceive." German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner introduced the name "apatite" into official circulation in 1786. He justified it precisely by its deceiving resemblance to other stones, such as topaz, beryl, or tourmaline.

Apatite is mined mainly in Canada, Brazil, Russia and Mexico. Its deposits are also found in China, India, Pakistan and Switzerland. Even though numerous mining sites are known, this does not mean that apatite is a common stone. The criteria of location, quality, size and environmental conditions of apatite deposits are also important.

Apatite is known by many names:, including: augustite, belowite, moroxite, levistonite, sombrerite, colophane, dahlite and many others. Apatite is a term for minerals in the phosphate group that have chemical similarities and contain trace elements such as magnesium, iron, phosphates, fluorine and calcium. It forms hexagonal columnar, needle-shaped and tabular crystals. Characteristic features of apatite crystals are rounded edges with longitudinal streaks on the surface. Aggregates can be granular, spherical, kidney-shaped or massive.

Properties of apatite

In its original, pure form, apatite is almost colorless. There are also stones that have natural coloring. Specimens found are red, yellow, purple, blue, green, brown or black. The formation of colors is determined by the admixture of various elements in the process of mineral formation. This is an allochromatic mineral, i.e. one whose color is due to the admixture of foreign substances. Apatite stone is sometimes transparent or opaque with yellowish, gray to white streaks in its variety. The strength of light can change with each stone.

Apatite is characterized by a glassy luster, on surfaces of fresh splitting also oily with varying transparency. Inclusions of chlorite, talc, mica, quartz, wolframite and markasite impair the purity of apatite, but can also produce interesting optical effects, such as apatite cat's eye. This light effect resembles the narrow pupils of a cat in the dark and is particularly noticeable in blue-green to green apatites.

The breakthrough of apatite is shell-like to uneven, and the flakiness is pronounced. The mineral's hardness on the Mohs scale is 5. Minerals with a hardness of at least 7 qualify for the gemstone category. To avoid the negative-sounding term "semi-precious stones," the name "jewelry stones" is rather used for less hard minerals. The density of apatite is 3.12 bis 3.22 g/cm³.

Apatite color

The color of apatite varies greatly. The crystals are sometimes colorless or intensely green, purple, slightly pinkish, and often multicolored. For example, they can be purple-blue in the center and mountain green on the edges, or half gray and half red.

The gradation of the different primary colors of apatite - white, yellow, green, pink, blue, purple and brown - is so subtle that it is possible to easily confuse this mineral with many others. It can be said that solely on the basis of color it is impossible to distinguish apatite from other stones.

Green apatite - can take on shades of yellowish or intense dark green, making it resemble the minerals peridot, dioptas, diopside or emerald.
Blue apatite - in various shades of blue from light blue to dark blue resembles tanzanite, sapphire, indiogolite or aquamarine, blue topaz or paraiba tourmaline.
Purple ap atite - the purple of apatite can look quite like the color of amethyst, fluorite or kunzite.
Bicolored and multicolored apatite - can fall on the color palette of tourmaline and fluorite.

Moroxite, paraiba apatite and asparagus stone

Blue-green apatites are commercially compared to Brazilian paraiba tourmalines and called paraiba apatites. The paraiba color is a perfect combination of blue and green without the predominance of a single color.

The term paraiba apatite is relatively new; in the past, blue-green apatite was called moroxite.

In contrast, golden yellow to yellow-green apatite is referred to as asparagus stone.

Apatite color correction

In order to increase the intensity of the color and improve the purity of apatite, beautification treatments are sometimes used, specifically firing. To do this, the mineral is subjected to a temperature of about 400°C, which causes the color to become more even, stronger, or even turn to a different shade.

Alternatively, a surface treatment with either a colorless or monochromatic wax, resin or oil enhances the mineral's luster and strength.

Importance and uses of apatite

In recent years, apatite has become increasingly popular as an ornamental stone and has become a cost-effective alternative to paraiba tourmaline. Besides, apatite is also interesting for another reason; it is used to extract phosphorus, which in turn is used, for example, egg fertilizer. Besides, apatite, especially hydroxyapatite, is used in medicine.

Apatite is also valued as a healing stone. It is especially helpful to humans in case of apathy, fatigue and lack of desire to act, as it gives them optimism, determination, motivation as well as a flexible approach to life changes and a new impetus. In addition, apatite supports intellectual development and self-reliance, gives confidence and allows one to reject inhibitions. It gives openness and sociability, which promotes a happy and balanced life.

Apatite, which is used for jewelry products, is given either a facet cut or a smooth cabochon cut to emphasize its color and purity. At the same time, there are large price differences in apatite. You have to pay the most for blue and blue-green apatite.

To identify apatite, its characteristic features are used: the mineral is soluble in hydrochloric acid and shows a distinct fluorescence, which changes depending on the color. Yellow apatite glows pinkish-purple under UV light, blue apatite glows from light blue to purple, and filet apatite appears greenish-yellow under ultraviolet light.

In the case of apatite, direct contact of the stone with the body comes first, which means placing it on the affected area for an extended period of time. Care must be taken, as raw stones often have sharp edges. Apatites with rounded shapes, which give a more pleasant touch on the skin, are better suited.

The healing stone can also be put in water to drink and thus reach the body. External use of gemstone water is also possible. Apatite is considered a well-tolerated healing stone, and its effect with regular use is quite intense.

Apatite's effect on the body

The principle of the mineral's effect on the human body is based on the phosphorus compounds it contains. The healing stone helps mobilize energy reserves. It ensures healthy sleep and healthy eating habits. It helps to better utilize nutrients, and due to its calcium phosphate content, facilitates the absorption of calcium in the body. Overall, it increases vital energy, supporting the body's regeneration. In addition, apatite has a positive effect on the kidneys and bladder. It can be used as a supportive remedy for joint, bone, skin and digestive ailments.

Similarly, apatite also has a positive effect on the human psyche. It helps reactivate the flow of energy, combats lethargy, melancholy, apathy and lack of interest in life. It has a beneficial effect on states of exhaustion, sadness, grief and worry. It is a comforter for the soul, especially in states of depression. Provides additional support in overcoming challenges and difficulties and in solving problems. It helps to see things more clearly and to work with greater creativity and a broader vision.