Apatite is a member of the Apatite group, a group of minerals. Apatite may be regarded as a single mineral, but is usually divided into three minerals: Fluorapatite, Chlorapatite, and Hydroxylapatite. Since it is hard to distinguish between these minerals, and since they may partially replace each other, distinctions between them are rarely made, and they are simply called "Apatite". Most Apatite is Fluorapatite, the most common member by far.

Apatite is a phosphate mineral, and is the main source of the phosphorus required by plants. The bones and teeth of most animals, including humans, are of the same material as Apatite. The name apatite comes from a Greek word meaning to deceive an allusion to its similarity to other minerals such as olivine, peridot and beryl.

Apatite is widely distributed in all rock types, but is usually just a small distribution of grains or fragments. Large well-formed crystals can be found in metamorphic rocks. Large deposits are found on the Kola Peninsula, Russia, containing both crystals and Botryoidal material (resembling clusters of grapes). Some of the finest crystals came from Ehrenfriedersdorf, Saxony Germany, where they are blue to purple in color. Colorless, hexagonal crystals were found in the Tyrol, Austria, and excellent material from Panasqueira, Portugal. Deep blue crystals are found in Campo Formosa, Bahia, Brazil, and in Sri Lanka. Enormous deposits mined for industrial use exist in Nauru, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Israel.

Perhaps the most famous specimens are the gemmy yellow crystals from Cerro del Mercado (near Ciudad Durango), Durango, Mexico. In Ontario, Canada, large greenish-brown crystals come from Wilberforce, Haliburton Co., and the Bancroft area. Also in Canada is Otter Lake, Quebec, where large crystals occur on a matrix of orange Calcite.

Mystic Lore: Apatite is a very complex mineral that is present in our teeth and bones. In its crystalline state Apatite can be thought of as the bones of the Earth. It helps teach us how to safely connect with the vast energy of the Earth and use it for healing and magic. Regular meditation or working with Apatite will help to improve your concentration, memory and intuitive knowledge of the Earth. Strange coincidences often seem to crop up when you are working with this stone, this is a sign that you are on the right track. Used for healing regeneration and to provide the stamina to face a difficult problem long-term illness. Brings stability and common sense to new projects and helps you keep your feet on the ground.

Apatite is the main source of phosphorus. Phosphorus was previously extracted from crystalline Apatite, but nowadays is extracted from enormous deposits of Apatite-rich rock. Apatite is essential in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, and is very important in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Apatite is also a popular collectors mineral, and some transparent specimens are faceted for collectors.

Care of Apatite:  Apatite should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. We recommend ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft brush as the best way to clean your Apatite jewelry..

Bibliography: 

• The curious lore of precious stones - Author Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932.
• Gem identification made easy - Matlins, Antoinette Leonard.
• Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification - By Robert Webster, Peter G. Read (Editor).
• Gemstone Enhancement: history, science and state of the art - by Kurt Nassau.
• Gemstones of the world - Walter Schumann ; translated by Evelyne Stern.

A Disclaimer:  Effort has been made of including information that is found in at least two sources. I can make no claim on the accuracy of this information. I am not a Geologist or Gemologist. I make no guarantees and infer no warranties. For more information, please refer to the bibliography.

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Copyright Information.:  Although I have included a bibliography, but no attempt has been made to give credit to individual passages. If you are an author and feel that I have infringed on your copyrighted material please let me know. With that in mind, all material and information, retain their respected Copyrights.

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I encourage the reader to pursue the further study of any topic that they find particularly interesting. A good place to start is your local library.