Fluorapatite
greenblueyellow · Apatite family
| Also known as | Apatite (Apatite family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green, Blue, Yellow |
| Mohs hardness | 5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous, resinous to dull |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to opaque |
| Cleavage | Indistinct |
| Fracture | Brittle to conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F |
| Specific gravity | 3.1 to 3.2 |
What is Fluorapatite?
Fluorapatite, often with the alternate spelling of fluoroapatite, is a phosphate mineral with the formula Ca5(PO4)3F (calcium fluorophosphate). Fluorapatite is a hard crystalline solid. Although samples can have various colors (green, brown, blue, yellow, violet, or colorless), the pure mineral is colorless, as expected for a material lacking transition metals. Along with hydroxylapatite, it can be a component of tooth enamel, especially in individuals who use fluoridated toothpaste, but for industrial use both minerals are mined in the form of phosphate rock, whose usual mineral composition i
How to identify Fluorapatite
- Lustre: Vitreous, resinous to dull.
- Hardness: Mohs 5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Hexagonal crystal system.
Fluorapatite in different forms
Stones often confused with Fluorapatite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Fluorapatite?
Fluorapatite is Mohs 5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Fluorapatite?
Fluorapatite is typically green, blue, yellow (Sea-green, violet, purple, blue, pink, yellow, brown, white, colorless, may be zoned).