Apatity. Minerals. Description, properties, deposits and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

Apatites are minerals with a phosphate nature, the most common on the planet from their group. They are widely used in the production of mineral fertilizers, and for some time they have been actively used in the creation of jewelry. The faceted mineral takes on a very noble appearance and is often passed off as a more valuable semi-precious stone, such as topaz. It is not for nothing that the Greeks called apatite "ἀπατάω", which means "deceiving" in Latin.

Chemical composition

Several minerals from the phosphate class are called apatite. The formula of the compound that forms the mineral is Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH, Cl, F) ₂. The most famous are three types: hydroxo-, chlorine- and fluorapatite. Depending on this, the above formula will change. The content of calcium oxides (CaO) and phosphorus is about 53-56% and 41%, respectively. The remaining small proportion falls on fluorine, chlorine, sometimes carbonate,as well as various impurities.

In its pure form, apatite has no color. Impurities give various pale shades to the mineral. For example, manganese in various combinations colors crystals in pink, purple, greenish-yellow color, neodymium and iron give yellow and smoky tones.

Physical properties

Glass luster, uneven fracture, greasy texture on chips, brittleness are the characteristics that apatite has. The mineral grade on the Mohs scale is 5. Quite dense, but not enough for high-quality jewelry. It can be scratched with great difficulty by glass or a sharp knife blade. The specific gravity is 3.2g/cm³. In nature, it occurs in the form of formed crystals, as a rule, prismatic, less often acicular or tabular, often has vertical shading on the edges. Often forms dense grain-crystalline aggregates and concretions, voluminous solid earthy masses.

Apatite: the origin of the mineral

Minerals from the apatite group are accessory, that is, they are part of the rock in a small amount (less than 1%). Therefore, they do not affect the main classification. Crystallization occurs in almost all igneous rocks, especially in alkaline and acidic ones. Apatites are a characteristic component of lamprophyres and carbonatites. They are resistant to hypergenic conditions. Apatites are common terrigenous minerals of sedimentary rocks and placers.

Crystals can grow to huge sizes. The largest specimens were found inQuebec (Canada), one of them weighed 5443 kg and was 2.13 by 1.22 m in size. The mineral is one of the national symbols of the country.

Deposits

Apatites are minerals whose deposits on an industrial scale are quite rare. The largest deposit is located on the Kola Peninsula and is called the Khibiny. In this area, apatite ores are mined, which consist mainly of fluorapatites and nepheline. In addition, there are deposits in Yakutia (Seligdarskoye), Buryatia (Beloziminskoye, Oshurkovskoye), in the Urals (Ilmensky mountains), Baikal region.

Apatites of sedimentary rock (phosphorites) make up more than 90% of the total world stock of phosphate ores. Their deposits are known in North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Western Sahara, Morocco.

Crystals suitable for jewelry production are mined in Finland, India, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, USA, Myanmar and Brazil. The last two countries are known for their beautiful varieties of cat's-eye mineral.

Apatite in jewelry

Apatite is a mineral whose properties and appearance allow it to be used in the jewelry industry. It is characterized by fragility and low hardness, therefore it is not as durable as semi-precious stones and requires careful treatment. In addition, the mineral is sensitive to high temperatures and exposure to sunlight (may fade, fade).

For the manufacture of jewelry, transparent apatites are used, most often yellow or blue. pure mineralsgo through the cutting process. Not quite transparent stone is subjected to cabochon. This is a specific way of cutting, in which it takes on a convex shape with a smooth polished surface.

Jewelry with apatite is quite attractive and original, in many respects the beauty of the product depends on the quality of processing. Brooches, beads, rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc. often made in combination with other stones, using precious metals. However, you should beware of outright fakes. Beryl, tourmaline, topaz, etc. - it is for them that the well-cut transparent mineral apatite is sometimes given out.

Product price

The cost of apatite souvenirs and jewelry depends on several factors: the quality of the stone, the way it is processed, cut, and related materials. For example, beads as in the photo, 40 cm long, cost between 1000-1500 rubles. The stone is not transparent, the cut is as simple as possible, the natural beauty and heterogeneity of the color of the mineral are preserved.

However, some apatites are quite expensive. In Ontario (Canada), a gem-quality mineral of green (sometimes mixed with blue or olive) color is mined. It is sold under the well-known trade name "trilliumite". A stone weighing 10 carats after cutting is estimated at over a thousand dollars.

The magical properties of apatite

Astrologers and esotericists tend to attribute certain magical properties to various minerals. Apatite is considereda stone of peace and tranquility. He is credited with unique properties for stabilizing the psycho-emotional state of a person, bringing the nervous system into tone. In this regard, astrologers recommend wearing it to the fiery signs of the zodiac, which are characterized by a quick-tempered and hot temper: Leo, Aries and Sagittarius. But even without that calm Pisces, Aquarius and Cancers, it is not recommended. Apatite will make them passive, sleepy and weak.

Agricultural use

It has long been known that apatites are fertility minerals, so agriculture is their main area of application. Phosphorus is one of the main components of a chemical compound, as mentioned above. As you know, this element is vital not only for humans, but also for plants. Phosphorus is a building material for living organisms, it takes part in many biological processes.

Apatites are minerals that are the initial product for obtaining natural mineral phosphate fertilizers. Raw materials have been used for this purpose for a very long time. Since the beginning of the 20th century, many mineral processing plants have been built and are operating. One of the largest is the Khibiny Apatit plant, launched in 1929 on the basis of the world's largest deposit.