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Density Explained
The density of a mineral can be found by dividing its weight by its volume. Density is often used to identify a substance. For example, without sophisticated lab techniques, Fool's Gold and Gold can be distinguished by calculating density. Density is a measurement compared to water, which has a density of one; hence, apatite is a bit over three times as dense as water.
Daily Uses of Apatite
Apatite minerals are used for many items people use daily. They are produced and used by biological systems such as hydroxylapatite, which is the key component in tooth enamel. It is also used to replace amputated bone and prosthetic implants. Oftentimes during bone marrow transplants, the immune system will defend itself and view new marrow as an invader. Hydroxylapatite has been found to allow the immune system to recognize the implanted marrow as "friendly" and allow it to develop. Fluorapatite is extremely resistant to acid and is used in many types of toothpaste as sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate. In the U.S., apatite is also used to fertilize some types of tobacco. It deprives the plant of nitrogen, giving American cigarettes a different taste than European or Asian brands. Apatite is one of the most essential ingredients in phosphate fertilizer manufacturing.
Generally Too Soft for a Gem
Though some shades are extremely beautiful, apatite is seldom used as a gemstone due to its softness. On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, where a diamond is 10 and talc is 1 (source of talcum powder), apatite is ranked 5. If a clean, transparent stone has been found and it is hard enough to be cut, it may be faceted, or cabochon cut. Cabochon cut gems are shaped with a convex, rounded surface and polished, but they are left unfaceted. Chatoyant cut apatite stones are generally referred to as "cat's-eye apatite." Also, depending on the stone's color, it could be referred to as "asparagus stone" (transparent green) or "moroxite" (blue).
Used for Dating
Apatite often has fission tracks within the stone. Scientists use the tracks to analyze the thermal history of mountain belts, and the dating of sediments in basins and of ancient wildfires.
Apatite Facade
Apatite ranges in color and some specimens are multicolored. The most common colors are green, yellow, blue, red/brown and purple. The name comes from the Greek word meaning "to deceive." It is reported that it was given this name due to apatite's appearance which closely matches much more valuable minerals such as beryl peridot and olivine. Apatite is found generally as small grains or cryptocrystalline fragments within rock types including metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous.