Apatite is a useful “pretender” for people

The geological concept of “blende” is associated with rocks that imitate various nuggets. One of these “ardent deceivers” is apatite, as even the name of this mineral indicates. It contains calcium phosphate and pure calcium, which together form beautiful and regular geometric crystals of large sizes, similar to precious gems. Apatite aggregates can weigh hundreds of kilograms! But not all stones are suitable for jewelry. Small transparent crystals are considered the highest quality. And only a few of them are pure enough and suitable for cutting and making jewelry.

Apatite deposits

Large deposits of apatite are rare.
The largest known one is located on the Kola Peninsula (Russia), where there are deposits of apatite ore that contain fluorapatite and nepheline (apatite nepheline ores). Large apatite crystals (moroxites) are mined in Transbaikalia. — Advertising —

In addition, apatite is mined in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, USA, Chile, South Africa, Finland, Spain, and Norway.

History of apatite

The first scientific description of apatites was made at the end of the 18th century by the scientist A.G. Werner, who proposed a name for the stone. The word “apatite” is of ancient Greek origin and is translated as “I deceive.” It indicates that natural apatite is extremely diverse and can superficially resemble other stones, such as beryl, diopside and tourmaline. A diagnostic feature of apatite is the prismatic shape of its crystals and relatively low hardness.

How to care

Apatite requires careful care, as it is not very durable:

• You need to protect it from bumps and falls.
• Contaminants are removed with warm water, using neutral soap if necessary.
• Wash and wipe the stone with a soft cloth.
• When caring for it, do not use hot water, abrasives, or active household chemicals.

It is better to store jewelry in a separate box or in its section, away from heating devices and radiators.

Physico-chemical characteristics of apatite

In terms of their chemical composition, apatites belong to mixed calcium phosphates.
As additional elements, apatite often contains fluorine, chlorine, manganese, iron, strontium, aluminum, thorium, and rare earth elements. — Advertising —

The shape of the mineral crystals is varied: from prismatic to needle-shaped, less often short-columnar or tabular. Apatites are characterized by the presence of granular sugar-like aggregates, dense masses, radial and columnar aggregates. The fine-fiber structure is much less common.

Pure apatite crystals are colorless, completely transparent or translucent. Their color depends on the composition of impurities, for example, iron gives the mineral a smoky or yellowish tone, blue and green apatites contain manganese and lead.

The gem is characterized by the manifestation of luminescence, due to which it changes its color from different viewing angles. Blue and yellow examples are often decorated with a cat's eye effect.

The hardness of apatite on the Mohs scale is 5, which is quite low for jewelry processing and requires careful handling of the stone.

Varieties, colors

As mentioned above, depending on the composition, the stones differ from each other in color and composition.

Based on these characteristics, apatites are divided into 3 groups:

Fluorapatite

Chloropatite

Hydroxylapatite

The first group includes minerals that contain fluorine. This group is distinguished by a wide variety of colors. It includes purple, pink, yellow, brown and even transparent apatites.

Chloropatite also comes in several green, gray and pink-white shades. Their name speaks for itself and indicates that they contain a lot of chlorine.

And finally, the third group of hydroxylapatites includes white, blue, red, and violet minerals. They contain a lot of water.

Magical properties of apatite

All owners of jewelry and talismans with apatite are guaranteed to prevent serious upheavals in life.
This gem causes prophetic dreams to appear; it endows its owner with insight and a strong intuitive awareness of dangerous situations. Interestingly, if the stone is worn on the body, it begins to behave very actively. For example, when danger approaches, the skin that comes into contact with the stone begins to become irritated, itchy and red. And if at the same time there is a desire to get rid of the decoration, it means that the danger has reached its maximum. Still, it’s not worth parting with apatite. It is believed that when a stone is separated from its owner, it loses all its properties and becomes a dull and colorless piece of rock.

But apatite cannot damage, so it has never been used in black magic rituals.

Mineral care rules

The difficulty of handling apatite is its softness, chemical instability and fragility. The stone requires extreme caution. Even removing dust scratches the surface so much that the product becomes dull. Any mechanical impact leads to the appearance of chips. The rock must not be heated.

To clean the item from dirt and dust, it is washed with running warm water, then wiped with a soft cloth.

The structure of apatite is very delicate, so products made from it are stored separately. Be sure to wrap it in soft material.

Before the ultrasound examination, stone jewelry is removed.

Use the item so that chemicals do not come into contact with it. Remove during sports, cleaning and other physical activities.

Healing properties of apatite

For the healing properties of apatite to manifest, it must be combined with other healing minerals.
For example, crystals of yellow and brown shades in combination with other similar minerals stimulate the heart, and if blue apatites are combined with aquamarines, they will help a lecturer or singer. The harmonization of the human condition is facilitated by the combination of intensely blue apatites with jewelry made of rock crystal and diamonds.

With the help of green apatites, depression and depressed states are treated. Blue-green crystals have a calming and peaceful effect.

Properties and uses of the mineral

Apatite is rarely used in jewelry due to its fragile structure. But it is used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers and phosphoric acid. Due to the effectiveness of such fertilizers, the mineral is also called “breadstone”.

Phosphorus isolated from apatite is used in the glass industry and metallurgy. Thanks to it, the strength of glass increases. Ceramic artists produce bone china from apatite.

Physical and chemical properties

The main physical and chemical properties of apatite are as follows:

• Chemical formula of apatite: Ca10(PO4)6(OH, F, Cl)2.
• Refractory.
• If a stone is moistened with sulfuric acid and set on fire, it will light up with a blue flame.
• Dissolves in sulfuric and nitric acids.
• Cleavage: {0001} imperfect.
• Hardness: 5 on the Mohs scale.
• Density: 3.3 g/cu.m. cm.
• Transparent to translucent.
• Glass shine.
• Possesses luminescence.
• The color of the stone depends on the impurities. These are mainly yellow, pink, red, blue, purple, cyan, colorless.
• Conchoidal fracture.
• Low optical relief.

Medicinal properties

Apatite is especially distinguished by its healing properties, because a similar substance is found even in the human body. Only a natural mineral has healing energy to the fullest. Lithotherapists note the main areas of application of apatite:

• For the prevention of throat and thyroid gland.
• For the treatment of abdominal organs. In this case, you need to put the mineral in a glass of water overnight, and drink the already charged water the next morning.
• The stone calms the nervous system and relieves emotional stress.
• It speeds up blood circulation. In order to relieve swelling in the legs, it is advised to put the mineral in a sock for a while.
• Apatite helps in the treatment of rickets, as well as calcium metabolism disorders.

The mineral will help even in case of bruise or slight tissue damage. Just apply the gem to a sore spot, it relieves pain and will have a beneficial effect on the entire body.

Magic properties

It is very important to take into account that apatite amulets are distinguished by special devotion and loyalty to their owner. Once they recognize their person, they will not benefit other people. Therefore, you should abandon the idea of ​​​​presenting apatite as a gift.

The energy of the stone is aimed not only at improving the well-being of the owner. In addition, it is able to influence certain areas of human life:

• The talisman will never allow the evil eye and damage.
• It will defuse a negative situation and improve family relationships.
• I’m ready to warn the owner about trouble by predicting the situation in a person’s prophetic dream.
• The mineral can even prevent misfortunes. But you will have to pay for this - the amulet will make the place on the body to which it is located closest to itch and ache. But it is not recommended to remove it, because the averted evil can return.

The energy of apatite can enhance the effects of other stones. These include aquamarine, diamond, and rock crystal.

Paired with aquamarine, it will help heal the respiratory system. And rock crystal will multiply the power of apatite’s influence on the nervous system and human psyche.

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Who is the stone suitable for according to their zodiac sign and name?

Zodiac horoscope specialists are confident that the mineral can be carried by all signs, with the exception of Pisces. Only from them will the mineral draw vitality and attract failure.

The power of the stone will be best revealed next to Gemini. He will be sensitive towards Taurus, Aries and Sagittarius. For them, the mineral will become a talisman, a magnet for bright, interesting events. For Capricorns, the stone will help improve their health, and for Scorpios it will relieve them of fears and give them confidence in themselves and their strengths.

Of the names closest to Apatite, Egor, Alexey, Olga, Ekaterina, Arina. For people with these names, the talisman will be an indispensable assistant in all endeavors and affairs.

Applications of apatite

Non-gem quality apatite is a raw material in the production of phosphate fertilizers, phosphorus compounds and phosphate acid.
The mineral is used in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, for the production of ceramics and glass. Jewelers use apatite quite rarely, which is due to its low hardness and fragility. Typically, gem-quality apatites barely reach 5 carats, and extremely rarely – 20 carats. As a rule, such samples are an object of collector's interest, especially if they are well cut, translucent and transparent.

Meaning to people

For humans, the mineral is of great importance. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the “bread stone.” We have been eating bread grown using apatite fertilizers (superphosphates) for a long time.

Many industries cannot do without the mineral. The chemical extracts phosphorus from it and produces phosphoric and orthophosphoric acids. Without apatite, “bone china” cannot be produced. And where to find so many bones to create royal porcelain - that’s where apatite comes to the rescue.

Ring with apatite

Minerals containing phosphates are used in foundry.

Phosphorus glass, which freely transmits ultraviolet light, is also a merit of apatite. If you want glass that will block infrared rays, no problem. Apatite will help you. Why are they needed? Didn’t you steam in your apartment when it was 50 degrees Celsius? If not, you're in luck. Surgeons burn their hands during long operations without such glass. Let’s not even talk about working in “hot” shops. Without such glass it's just hell.

We recommend: SHERL, Black Tourmaline or Sherlite - witches’ stone

Textile, match, ceramic, food industries, military affairs - they cannot do without a variety of stones.

So the use of our mineral helps a person in many ways.

Educational: if you wanted to look at an irreplaceable stone, it’s very simple. In the human body, apatite makes up a large proportion of bones, teeth (and even kidney stones).

How to distinguish real apatite from a fake

Apatite itself is not counterfeited, but the gem itself, even the name of which is translated as “deception,” is quite often confused with tourmalines, topazes, beryls, amethysts, diopsides and aquamarines. The main difference between apatite and precious and semi-precious stones is its low hardness.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

Most astrologers believe that the magical properties of apatite help all zodiac signs except Pisces . If they wear this gem, they will become drowsy and apathetic. The following stones can be recommended for representatives of this sign: amethyst, spinel, opal, labradorite, blue agate, ammolite, euclase, rose quartz, orthoclase, pearl, anhydrite (angelite), prasiolite, jasper, belomorite, aragonite.

The rest of the zodiac signs according to the horoscope can wear apatite without fear. It will help them strengthen the positive aspects of their character and dampen the negative ones.

Apatite is ideal for signs of the element of Fire. Aries, Leo, Sagittarius will find an ally and assistant in him. This gem (especially yellow) will suggest a way out of difficult situations. Its owner will act consciously and not impulsively, will find happiness in his personal life and may even become a clairvoyant.

Prices for apatite products

Considering the varied properties and quality of apatites, their prices also vary widely. For example, transparent, clean samples with a beautiful cut are valued at $2-3 per carat. Heterogeneous stones with defects are valued much lower. Beads are often made from them. The cheapest specimens of apatite are those that are ground into cabochons. Such stones are opaque and layered. Pendants and other small jewelry are made from fractured apatites, the cost of which is very low.