Guide
Apatite specimens for sale
256 for sale · $40–$85,000 USD
1,237 in the gallery
Apatite is a common phosphate mineral that forms in a variety of crystal habits, often presenting hexagonal prisms with a vitreous to sub-metallic luster and colors ranging from yellow-green to brownish hues. It occurs in pegmatites, granitic rocks, and phosphate-rich hydrothermal veins, and is frequently found as aggregates or single, well-formed crystals. Notable specimens come from classic localities in Pakistan, Brazil, Portugal, the United States, and Mexico, where large, well-terminated crystals and attractive color zoning are observed.
- Formula
- Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
- Rarity
- Abundant
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Phosphate mineral; apatite group; Strunz 08.B
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- hexagonal
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Specific gravity
- 3.1–3.3
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
- Color
- colorless, white, gray, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- poor
- Fracture
- conchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, tabular, acicular, granular, massive
- Gem mineral
- Fluorescent: yellow, orange, blue, green, violet, pink
- Classic / historic
Buy Apatite specimens
View all 256Where Apatite is found
Top localities
- Panasqueira Mines237 specimens
- Sapo Mine73 specimens
- Cerro de Mercado Mine34 specimens
- Chumar Bakhoor21 specimens
- Mawi pegmatite21 specimens
- Shigar Valley17 specimens
- Pakistan15 specimens
- Himalaya Mine14 specimens
- Huanzala Mine11 specimens
- Ehrenfriedersdorf8 specimens
Guides
All guides
Guide
Apatite from Sapo Mine, Brazil
Apatite from Sapo Mine, Brazil: green to color-zoned crystals with hydroxylapatite and fluorapatite varieties; a pegmatite marquee prized for form and color.Read guide
Guide
Apatite from Panasqueira Mines, Portugal
Apatite from the Panasqueira Mines is one of the signature mineral classics of Europe: glassy, hexagonal fluorapatite, most often in green, blue-green, colorless, pale yellow, violet, or purple crystals, set against the unmistakable Panasq…Read guideAbout Apatite
Collectors value apatite for its clear crystals, vibrant greens and yellows, and its role in understanding phosphate mineralogy within igneous environments. While it rarely reaches the rarefied status of more prized species, well-crystallized apatite from iconic mines offers striking display pieces and a window into the diversity of phosphate minerals. Its relative accessibility and variety of forms make it a staple for crystallography enthusiasts and those building a varied cabinet of minerals.
