Electric colors of life
APATITE
Apatite Origin & Physical Properties
Apatite is a phosphate mineral which forms in tabular, prismatic hexagonal crystals. Although apatite as a mineral is quite common, transparent blue apatite that is clean enough to facet into gems are quite rare. Colors of Apatite crystals of gem quality range from electric blue and indigo, to yellows and greens.
The most valuable Apatite gems are cut from Brazilian crystals with neon indigo blue color, similar to that of Paraiba Indicolite tourmalines. Larger gems are much more expensive as crystals large and clean enough to facet are quite rare.
Blue Apatite of gem quality is found in Madagascar and Brazil, while clean yellow crystals are found in abundance in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. Apatite formed in pegmatites when magma cooled, creating cracks and fissures where the crystals formed over millions of years.
Category |
Properties |
|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH) |
| Mohs Hardness | 5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to subresinous |
| Specific Gravity | 3.16–3.22 |
| Refractive Index | 1.63-1.64 |
| Fluorescence | Blue to light-blue; green stones – greenish-yellow |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Color | blue, Green, yellow |
| Origin | Brazil, Myanmar, Mexico |
| Chakra | Throat (5th) |
| Zodiac | Pisces, Gemini |
| Element | Air |
| Metaphysical Effects | Communication, clarity, confidence, spiritual attunement, motivation |
Apatite Healing & Metaphysical Properties
Apatite is known as a gemstone of manifestation due to its motivating and encouraging vibrations. Blue Apatite helps to rase the kundalini energy and revitalizes the third-eye and throat chakras.
Blue Apatite can help discern truth from illusion. By balancing the throat chakra, it can aid in finding your true expression and communicating truth, deep desires and your highest motivations. A deeply meditative stone, it can help to rise above sadness, recover from grief and shape new healthy patterns.
Yellow Apatite stimulates, the solar plexus chakra, awakening will-power, a sense of optimism and belief. An excellent tonic for depression, it can help increase concentration and dispel old negative emotions.
Apatite History & Mythology
In ancient times Apatite was often mistaken for Tourmaline, Aquamarine and Emerald, leading to its name, derived from the Greek word ‘apato’, or ‘deceit’.
As a gemstone, Apatite is fairly unknown and its stunning beauty is largely a secret held by collectors. Only in the last decade, its notoriety has began to spread. The neon blue apatites of Madagascar and Brazil are the most sought after and hold the most value.