APATITE

Apatite is a concentration of many different minerals and trace elements such as fluorite, magnesium, calcium, and iron. It forms in the hexagonal crystal structure and is most commonly found with the chemical composition Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH); although certain variables and trace elements may alter the composition of specific specimens. The most important deposits of apatite are found in sedimentary rocks that formed within marine environments. There, phosphate bearing organic debris (such as teeth, bones, scales, and fecal material) had accumulated over lengthy periods of time and became mineralized during periods of diagenesis, which is defined as “the physical and chemical changes occurring during the conversion of sediment to sedimentary rock.” Apatite has a relatively consistent hardness, and is used as an index mineral representation of 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. It is typically green in color, but can also be brown, yellow, purple, blue, pink, or even colorless.

APATITE HISTORY AND USES

Apatite was originally named by the German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1786; however, in the year 1860, another German mineralogist, named Karl Friedrich August Rammelsberg, correctly reclassified Werner’s mineral as fluorapatite. Apatite is commonly mistaken for other minerals, and because of this tendency it is reflected in the mineral's name, which is derived from the Greek word “apatáō”, which means ‘to deceive’. This is due to its similar physical appearance to certain variations of the mineral’s beryl and tourmaline.

Throughout history, apatite has been used in many industrial and artistic applications. Archeological discoveries from China found that ground apatite was used as a primary pigment for the Terracotta Army of 3rd-century BCE, built over 2,000 years ago. Later, in the 1600’s, the Qing Dynasty made use of its durability as an enamel for metal cookware. Today, apatite is found in large enough deposits that it can be mined for its phosphate and used to produce fertilizers and certain chemical products. Interestingly, phosphate rock is the only material on Earth that can be used to produce enough fertilizer to satisfy a global demand. Without it, farmers would not be able to produce enough food to feed the world's population, making it one of the most valuable, life sustaining rocks the world has to offer. In addition to its industrial uses, high quality apatite is frequently cut into cabochons and used as a gemstone. Rarely, specimens of apatite will have intricately developed inclusions of the mineral rutile. These rutile inclusions give the apatite a chatoyant “cats-eye” effect, and are considered highly desirable in the gem-grade apatite community. Primary sources for gem-apatite are Mexico, Myanmar, and Brazil.

Additionally, moon rocks that were collected by the Apollo astronauts’ program were found to contain traces of apatite. These findings created new insights about the presence of water on the moon, and a 2010 re-analysis of these samples revealed water trapped in the mineral as hydroxyl, leading to estimates of water on the lunar surface that were 100 times greater than previously suspected. Using these new findings, scientists now hypothetically speculate that if the minimum amount of mineral-locked water was converted to liquid, it would cover the Moon's surface in roughly three feet of water.

APATITE METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, apatite is said to aid its user in releasing energetic blockages that may stymie progress, motivation, and forward-thinking habits. A stone of the Heart, Throat, and Third Eye Chakras, apatite carries with it frequencies of positive personal growth, allowing its user to think outside the box and create new ideas from purpose driven affirmations. It is a great stone to use when working through trials related to self-actualization, and can help to more easily bring clarity and peace to an indecisive mind. Physically, apatite is said to aid the body with calcium absorption and bone density. It is also said to facilitate necessary needs for appetite suppression, and aid with organ and tissue regeneration, as well as hypertension.