Fluorapatite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY 3.0)
Mineral NameFluorapatite
Chemical FormulaCa₅(PO₄)₃F
Mohs Hardness5
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageindistinct on {0001}, poor on {1010}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.18
Colorslight blue, colorless, brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBarbin Quarry, Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, France
Mineral GroupPhosphates
Usesfertilizer production, gemstone (rarely), collector
Associated Mineralsmuscovite, quartz
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen features small, light blue, hexagonal fluorapatite crystals embedded within a matrix of flaky, beige muscovite, accompanied by some clear to smoky quartz crystals.
Geological Context
Fluorapatite is a common accessory mineral found in various igneous and metamorphic rocks, as well as in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites, often forming in environments rich in phosphorus and fluorine.
