Apatite Uses

Industry

• Apatite can be found in several different types of rocks, but the largest deposits can be found in sedimentary rocks. These rocks are mined for their apatite, which is rich in phosphorus -- in fact, apatite is the main source of phosphorus. This phosphorus is used to produce agricultural fertilizers. Apatite is also useful in the medical industry due to its ability to replace or promote the growth of bones.

Clean-up of Radioactive Material

• Apatite is very stable in the environment and can capture metals and radioactive materials. As a result, apatite is being deployed to help clean up the radioactive strontium contaminating soil and groundwater near the Columbia River. The strontium is hazardous to human health because it can replace calcium and build up in the body to cause various cancers, anemia or suppression of the immune system. Apatite injected into the soil column near the river should capture the strontium, lowering its concentration and decreasing the potential health hazard.

Mohs Hardness Scale

• The Mohs hardness scale was developed in 1812 by Friedrich Mohs to measure the resistance of various surfaces to abrasion. The scale lists 10 minerals; Mohs assigned each an arbitrary hardness value relative to the others. These values are whole numbers from one to 10, with one indicating a very easily scratched material and subsequent numbers indicating progressively harder materials. Mohs chose apatite as one of the ten index minerals on his scale; it is number five and represents materials that can be scratched by a steel knife blade.

Jewelry

• Apatite can be used as a gemstone, but it is not particularly valuable. That coupled with its softness relative to other gems keeps it from being widely distributed within the jewelry industry. It is mainly used for pendants, brooches or earrings due to its softness, because setting it in a ring would result in scratches without proper care.