Where is Apatite found?
Apatite
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Open the appApatite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Apatite
Brazil
Minas Gerais is a significant source of gem-quality apatite, particularly blue and green varieties.
Mexico
Durango is known for producing fine, often yellow to green, apatite crystals.
Canada
Ontario and Quebec have localities yielding large, often green or brown, apatite crystals, particularly in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Madagascar
Produces a variety of colors, including blue, green, and yellow apatite, often of gem quality.
Myanmar (Burma)
Known for producing fine blue and green apatite, sometimes resembling tourmaline or topaz.
United States
Various localities, including Maine, California, and New York, produce apatite, often as accessory minerals in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Collecting tips
- Check for Hexagonal Crystals. Apatite commonly forms distinctive hexagonal prismatic crystals, which can be a key identifier in the field.
- Assess Hardness. Its Mohs hardness of 5 is a crucial diagnostic. It can be scratched by a steel file but will scratch glass. This helps differentiate it from harder minerals like beryl or topaz.
- Look for Associated Minerals. In pegmatites, apatite is often found with quartz, feldspar, mica, and tourmaline. In metamorphic rocks, it can be associated with calcite, dolomite, and various silicates.
- Consider Color and Luster. While variable, the vitreous luster and often pastel hues can be indicative. Blue and green are common colors.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Variable (green, blue, yellow, brown, pink, purple, colorless)
- Luster:
- Vitreous to sub-resinous
- Streak:
- White
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