Difference between revisions of "Apatite" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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{{dablink|Not to be confused with [[appetite]], the desire to eat.}}
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{{Claimed}}
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{{Infobox mineral
 
{{Infobox mineral
 
| name        = Apatite
 
| name        = Apatite
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| color      = [[Transparent]] to [[translucent]], usually green, less often colorless, yellow, blue to violet, pink, brown.<ref name="GRG">[[Gemological Institute of America]], ''GIA Gem Reference Guide'' 1995, ISBN 0-87311-019-6</ref>
 
| color      = [[Transparent]] to [[translucent]], usually green, less often colorless, yellow, blue to violet, pink, brown.<ref name="GRG">[[Gemological Institute of America]], ''GIA Gem Reference Guide'' 1995, ISBN 0-87311-019-6</ref>
 
| habit      = Tabular, prismatic crystals, massive, compact or granular
 
| habit      = Tabular, prismatic crystals, massive, compact or granular
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| system      = [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|Hexagonal]] Dipyramidal (6/m)<ref name=Webmineral>http://webmineral.com/data/Apatite.shtml Webmineral data</ref>
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| system      = [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|Hexagonal]] Dipyramidal (6/m)<ref name=Webmineral>[http://webmineral.com/data/Apatite.shtml Apatite Mineral Data.] ''Webmineral.com''. Retrieved May 8, 2007.</ref>
 
| twinning    =  
 
| twinning    =  
 
| cleavage    = [0001] Indistinct, [1010] Indistinct<ref name=Webmineral/>
 
| cleavage    = [0001] Indistinct, [1010] Indistinct<ref name=Webmineral/>
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==Gemology==
 
==Gemology==
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Apatite is infrequently used as a [[gemstone]]. Transparent stones of clean color have been faceted, and [[chatoyant]] specimens have been [[cabochon]] cut.<ref name="GRG"/> Chatoyant stones are known as ''cat's-eye apatite'',<ref name="GRG"/> transparent green stones are known as ''asparagus stone'',<ref name="GRG"/> and blue stones have been called ''[[moroxite]]''.<ref>Streeter, Edwin W., [http://www.farlang.com/gemstones/streeter-precious-stones/page_306/view?searchterm=moroxite Precious Stones and Gems] 6th edition, George Bell and Sons, London, 1898, p306</ref> Crystals of rutile may have grown in the crystal of apatite so when in the right light, the cut stone displays a cat's eye effect. Major sources for gem apatite are:<ref name="GRG"/> [[Brazil]], [[Burma]], and [[Mexico]]. Other sources include:<ref name="GRG"/> [[Canada]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Germany]], [[India]], [[Madagascar]], [[Mozambique]], [[Norway]], [[South Africa]], [[Spain]], [[Sri Lanka]], and the [[US]].
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Apatite is infrequently used as a [[gemstone]]. Transparent stones of clean color have been faceted, and [[chatoyant]] specimens have been [[cabochon]] cut.<ref name="GRG"/> Chatoyant stones are known as ''cat's-eye apatite'',<ref name="GRG"/> transparent green stones are known as ''asparagus stone'',<ref name="GRG"/> and blue stones have been called ''[[moroxite]]''.<ref>Streeter, Edwin W., [http://www.farlang.com/gemstones/streeter-precious-stones/page_306/view?searchterm=moroxite Moroxite] ''Precious Stones and Gems'' 6th ed., George Bell and Sons, London, 1898, p306. Retrieved May 8, 2007.</ref> Crystals of rutile may have grown in the crystal of apatite so when in the right light, the cut stone displays a cat's eye effect. Major sources for gem apatite are:<ref name="GRG"/> [[Brazil]], [[Burma]], and [[Mexico]]. Other sources include:<ref name="GRG"/> [[Canada]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Germany]], [[India]], [[Madagascar]], [[Mozambique]], [[Norway]], [[South Africa]], [[Spain]], [[Sri Lanka]], and the [[United States]].
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[[Image:Apatite09.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Apatite Crystal, Mexico]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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[[Image:Apatite09.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Apatite Crystal, Mexico]]
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* [[List of minerals]]
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* [[Crystal]]
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* [[Thermal history modelling]]
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* [[Gemstone]]
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* [[Mineral]]
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* [[Phosphate]]
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* [[Rock (geology)]]
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== Notes ==
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<references/>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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<references/>
 
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*[http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/phosphat/apatite/apatite.htm Apatite on Mineral galleries]
 
  
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==Further reading==
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* Farndon, John. 2006. ''The Practical Encyclopedia of Rocks & Minerals: How to Find, Identify, Collect and Maintain the World's best Specimens, with over 1000 Photographs and Artworks''. London: Lorenz Books. ISBN 0754815412.
 +
 
 +
* Klein, Cornelis, and Barbara Dutrow. 2007. ''Manual of Mineral Science''. 23rd ed. New York: John Wiley. ISBN 978-0471721574.
 +
 
 +
* Pellant, Chris. 2002. ''Rocks and Minerals''. Smithsonian Handbooks. New York: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0789491060.
 +
 
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* Shaffer, Paul R., Herbert S. Zim, and Raymond Perlman. 2001. ''Rocks, Gems and Minerals''. Rev. ed. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 1582381321.
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 +
* Mineral Gallery. 2006. [http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/phosphat/apatite/apatite.htm The Mineral Apatite.] ''Amethyst Galleries''. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
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* Mineral Gallery. 2006. [http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/phosphat/apatite.htm The Apatite Group of Minerals.] ''Amethyst Galleries''. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
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== External links ==
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* [http://www.mindat.org/min-29229.html Apatite.] ''Mindat.org''. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
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* [http://www.mindat.org/min-274.html Apatite Group.] ''Mindat.org''. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  
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* Schmittner Karl-Erich and Giresse Pierre, 1999.  Micro-environmental controls on biomineralization: superficial processes of apatite and calcite precipitation in Quaternary soils, Roussillon, France. Sedimentology 46/3: 463-476.
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* [http://webmineral.com/data/Apatite.shtml Apatite Mineral Data.] ''Webmineral.com''. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  
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[[Category:Calcium minerals]]
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[[Category:Physical sciences]]
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[[Category:Phosphate minerals]]
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[[Category:Earth sciences]]
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[[Category:Halide minerals]]
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[[Category:Geology]]
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[[Category:Piezoelectric materials]]
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[[Category:Minerals]]
  
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Revision as of 22:53, 8 May 2007

Apatite
Apatite crystals.jpg
General
CategoryPhosphate mineral group
Chemical formulaCa5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)
Identification
ColorTransparent to translucent, usually green, less often colorless, yellow, blue to violet, pink, brown.[1]
Crystal habitTabular, prismatic crystals, massive, compact or granular
Crystal systemHexagonal Dipyramidal (6/m)[2]
Cleavage[0001] Indistinct, [1010] Indistinct[2]
FractureConchoidal to uneven[1]
Mohs Scale hardness5[1]
LusterVitreous[1] to subresinous
Refractive index1.634 - 1.638 (+.012, -.006)[1]
Optical PropertiesDouble refractive, uniaxial negative[1]
Birefringence.002-.008[1]
PleochroismBlue stones - strong, blue and yellow to colorless. Other colors are weak to very weak.[1]
StreakWhite
Specific gravity3.16 - 3.22[2]
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent[2]

Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals, usually referring to hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite, and chlorapatite, named for high concentrations of OH-, F-, or Cl- ions, respectively, in the crystal. The formula of the admixture of the three most common species is written as Ca5(PO4)3(OH, F, Cl), and the formulae of the individual minerals are written as Ca5(PO4)3(OH), Ca5(PO4)3F and Ca5(PO4)3Cl, respectively.

Apatite is one of few minerals that are produced and used by biological micro-environmental systems. Hydroxylapatite is the major component of tooth enamel. A relatively unique form of apatite in which most of the OH groups are absent and containing many carbonate and acid phosphate substitutions is a large component of bone material.

Fluorapatite (or fluoroapatite) is more resistant to acid attack that is hydroxyapatite. For this reason, toothpaste typically contain a source of fluoride anions (e.g. sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate). Similarly, fluoridated water, allow exchange in the teeth of fluoride ions for hydroxy groups in apatite. Too much fluoride results in dental fluorosis and/or skeletal fluorosis.

In the United States, apatite is often used to fertilize tobacco. It partially starves the plant of nitrogen, which gives American cigarettes a different taste from those of other countries.

Fission tracks in apatite are commonly used to determine the thermal history of orogenic (mountain) belts and of sediments in sedimentary basins.

Phosphorite is the name given to impure, massive apatite.

Gemology

Apatite is infrequently used as a gemstone. Transparent stones of clean color have been faceted, and chatoyant specimens have been cabochon cut.[1] Chatoyant stones are known as cat's-eye apatite,[1] transparent green stones are known as asparagus stone,[1] and blue stones have been called moroxite.[3] Crystals of rutile may have grown in the crystal of apatite so when in the right light, the cut stone displays a cat's eye effect. Major sources for gem apatite are:[1] Brazil, Burma, and Mexico. Other sources include:[1] Canada, Czechoslovakia, Germany, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, and the United States.

Apatite Crystal, Mexico

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Gemological Institute of America, GIA Gem Reference Guide 1995, ISBN 0-87311-019-6
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Apatite Mineral Data. Webmineral.com. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  3. ↑ Streeter, Edwin W., Moroxite Precious Stones and Gems 6th ed., George Bell and Sons, London, 1898, p306. Retrieved May 8, 2007.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Farndon, John. 2006. The Practical Encyclopedia of Rocks & Minerals: How to Find, Identify, Collect and Maintain the World's best Specimens, with over 1000 Photographs and Artworks. London: Lorenz Books. ISBN 0754815412.
  • Klein, Cornelis, and Barbara Dutrow. 2007. Manual of Mineral Science. 23rd ed. New York: John Wiley. ISBN 978-0471721574.
  • Pellant, Chris. 2002. Rocks and Minerals. Smithsonian Handbooks. New York: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0789491060.
  • Shaffer, Paul R., Herbert S. Zim, and Raymond Perlman. 2001. Rocks, Gems and Minerals. Rev. ed. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 1582381321.

External links

  • Apatite. Mindat.org. Retrieved May 8, 2007.

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