The Significance of Apatite Gemstone

Name

• The name apatite comes from a Greek word meaning ̶0;cheat,̶1; probably because it was sometimes confused with other gems such as beryl, topaz or tourmaline.

Varieties

• Apatite is transparent and ranges in shade from colorless to blue, violet, pink, green and yellow.The most sought after variety is a rare rich purple apatite, found in Maine. The second most popular form is the blue apatite mined in Brazil.

Green Apatites

• There is also a light green apatite referred to in the trade as the ̶0;asparagus̶1; stone. More recently, a neon blue-green colored apatite has been found in Madagascar. As with most gemstones, the greater the color saturation of an apatite, the greater its value.

Care

• Apatite, at 5 on the Mohs hardness scale, requires care in its cutting and setting, and should be treated and worn gently, as you would an opal. GemSelect.com recommends that apatite set in a ring have a protective setting, and be worn only occasionally.

Meaning

• According to Crystal-Cure.com, apatite represents inspiration, and is useful for aiding communication, drawing away negativity, clearing confusion, and stimulating the intellect.