Apatite - Mineral and Healing Properties
Class: Calcium fluoro-chloro-hydroxyl phosphate
Uses: Mineral Specimen, Fertilizer
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Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals, usually referring to hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite and chlorapatite. Apatite is one of a few minerals produced and used by biological micro-environmental systems. Apatite is also a prized mineral specimen by collectors.
Origin Of The Name
The name Apatite is derived from a Greek word meaning "to deceive" because the variety of colors and formations in which this stone occurs makes it easy to mistake for other minerals.
The bones and teeth of most animals, including humans, are composed of calcium phosphate, which is the same material as Apatite. Moon rocks collected by astronauts during the Apollo program contain traces of apatite.
Where Is It Found
Apatite forms under a wide variety of conditions and is found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The most important deposits of apatite are in sedimentary rocks formed in marine and lacustrine environments. China is the largest producer of phosphate rock, producing approximately 100 million tons in 2014. The United States, Russia, Morocco, and Western Sahara are also major phosphate producers. Over 75% of the world's reserves of phosphate rock are located in Morocco and Western Sahara.
What Do We Do With It
Blue apatite is a prized mineral specimen by rock collectors for its vibrant royal blue color. Most of the apatite rock mined throughout the world is used to produce phosphate fertilizer. It is also used to produce animal feed supplements, phosphoric acid, elemental phosphorous, and phosphate compounds for the chemical industry. Green and blue apatite are ground and used as pigments with excellent covering power. During industrial processing of apatite with sulfuric acid to make phosphoric acid, hydrogen fluoride is produced as a byproduct from any fluorapatite content. This byproduct is a minor industrial source of hydrofluoric acid. Apatites are also a proposed host material for storage of nuclear waste, along with other phosphates.
A stone of the Throat Chakra, Blue Apatite helps with public speaking and enhances group communication. Attuned to the Third Eye, it also improves concentration and memory skills, and is a good crystal for study purposes. It aids in time management when working on projects.
Blue Apatite energetically acts as a hunger suppressant. Simply wear or carry a piece with you throughout the day. Blue Apatite also eliminates blockages and returns the body to balance. Blue Apatite can cleanse the aura of cluttered energies, bringing a renewed sensation to the body.
Blue Apatite enhances manifestation of ideas to reality and facilitates getting results. Blue Apatite enhances communication and self-expression on all levels, making this a great stone for teachers. Blue Apatite encourages openness and ease in social situations, a quality that makes it especially useful for autistic children.
Used at a physical level, Blue Apatite will focus healing energy on the body's systems, glands, meridians and organs.
Color: Blue, brown, violet, green and colorless.
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)
Transparency: Transparent to Opaque.
Crystal System: Euhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form.
Crystal Habits: Massive - Granular - Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock.
Fracture: Brittle - Conchoidal.
Specific Gravity: 3.1 - 3.2