Blue Apatite
A variety of Fluorapatite
What is Blue Apatite?
Blue Apatite is a brittle and soft mineral, which makes it rarely used in jewelry, although it's widely seen as a semiprecious stone based on its beauty. The powder obtained from this stone makes a beautiful and powerful pigment, which is commonly used in the production of artist's paint. It's often confused for Aquamarine.
Optical Properties
- Pleochroism
- Weak to strong
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial negative
Discover Values
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Blue Apatite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Where to Find Blue Apatite
Blue Apatite is a variety of Fluorapatite. RockHoundR, the free-to-download rockhounding map from the Ruby Glint team, shows where collectors find fluorapatite in the US, with land-access notes for BLM land and national forests. Collecting is banned in national parks.
See where to find fluorapatiteAlways check the local rules and get the landowner's permission before you collect.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Blue
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5
- Rock tumbling
- With care
- Density
- 3.07 - 3.28 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Crystal System
- Trigonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Ca5(PO4)3F
- Elements
- Ca, F, O, P
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Blue Apatite FAQs
How do I identify Blue Apatite?
Blue Apatite can be identified by its hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, Blue color, Vitreous luster, Trigonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Blue Apatite?
Blue Apatite typically appears in Blue. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Blue Apatite?
Blue Apatite has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.