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

Apatity - minerals with 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 are actively used in the creation of jewelry. The mined mineral acquires a very noble appearance and is often issued for a more valuable semi-precious stone, for example, topaz. Not for nothing did the Greeks call apatite "ἀπατάω", which in Latin means "deceiving".

Chemical Composition

Several minerals from the class of phosphates are called apatite. The formula of the compound forming the mineral is Ca ₁₀ (PO ₄ ) ₆ (OH, Cl, F) ₂ . The most famous are three types: hydroxy-, chloro- and fluorapatite. Depending on this, the above formula will change. The content of calcium (CaO) and phosphorus oxides is about 53-56% and 41%, respectively. The rest of the insignificant share falls on fluorine, chlorine, sometimes carbonate, as well as various impurities.

In its pure form, apatite does not have color. Different pale shades of the mineral give impurities. For example, manganese in various combinations stains the crystals in pink, purple, greenish yellow, neodymium and iron - give the yellow and smoky tones.

Physical properties

Glass shine, uneven fracture, oily texture on the chips, fragility - the characteristics that has apatite. The mineral class on the Mohs scale is 5. Quite dense, but not enough for quality jewelry. He can hardly be scratched with glass or a sharp knife blade with great difficulty. The specific gravity is 3.2 g / cm ³ . In nature it occurs in the form of formed crystals, usually prismatic, less often needle-like or tabular, often has vertical hatching on the faces. Often forms dense grain-crystal aggregates and concretions, solid solid earthy masses.

Apatite: the origin of the mineral

Minerals from the group of apatites are accessory, that is, they form part of the rocks in a small amount (less than 1%). Therefore, they do not influence the classification. Crystallization occurs in virtually all magmatic rocks, especially in alkaline and acidic rocks. Apatity is a characteristic component of lamprophyres and carbonatites. They are resistant to hypergenic conditions. Apatity is an ordinary terrigenous minerals of sedimentary rocks and placers.

Crystals can grow to huge sizes. The largest specimens were found in Quebec, Canada, one of them weighed 5,443 kg and was 2.13 by 1.22 m in size. The mineral is one of the national symbols of the country.

Place of Birth

Apatity - minerals, whose deposits on an industrial scale - a fairly rare phenomenon. The largest deposit is located on the Kola Peninsula and is called "Khibiny". Apatite ores are mined in this area, which consist mainly of fluorapatite and nepheline. In addition, there are deposits in Yakutia (Seligdarskoye), Buryatia (Beloziminsky, Oshurkovsky), in the Urals (Ilmensky mountains), Baikal region.

Apatites of sedimentary rocks (phosphorites) account for more than 90% of the world's phosphate ore reserves. 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 famous for the beautiful varieties of the mineral with the effect of a cat's eye.

Apatity in jewelry business

Apatite is a mineral whose properties and appearance can be used in the jewelry industry. It differs fragility and low hardness, so it is not as durable as semi-precious stones and requires a careful attitude. In addition, the mineral is sensitive to high temperatures and sunlight (can burn out, fade).

For the manufacture of jewelry used transparent apatite, most often yellow or blue. Pure minerals pass through the faceting process. The stone is not exactly transparent. This is a specific way of cutting, in which it takes a convex shape with a smooth polished surface.

Decorations with apatite are quite attractive and original, in many ways the beauty of the product depends on the quality of the processing. Brooches, beads, rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc. Often made in combination with other stones, using precious metals. However, one should beware of outspoken fakes. Beryl, tourmaline, topaz, etc. - it is for them that they sometimes give out a well-cut transparent minerals apatite.

Price for products

The cost of souvenirs and jewelry from apatite depends on several factors: the quality of the stone, the way it is processed, cut, and related materials. For example, beads like in the photo, 40 cm long, are in the range of 1000-1500 rubles. The stone is not transparent, the facet 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), minerals of green (sometimes with an admixture of blue or olive) color are mined. It is sold under the famous trade name "trilliumite". A stone weighing 10 carats after cutting is estimated at a sum of more than a thousand dollars.

The magical properties of apatite

Astrologers and esotericists tend to ascribe certain magical properties to various minerals. Apatite is considered a 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 his fiery zodiac signs, distinguished by a quick-tempered and ardent character: Leo, Aries and Sagittarius. And here it is not recommended for calm Pisces, Aquarius and Cancers. Apatite will make them passive, drowsy and weak.

Use in agriculture

It has long been known that apatites are minerals of fertility, therefore the main field of their application is agriculture. Phosphorus is one of the main components of a chemical compound, as already 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 very many biological processes.

Apatity - minerals, which are the starting product for obtaining natural mineral phosphorus fertilizers. Raw materials are 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 functioning. One of the largest is the Khibiny plant "Apatite", launched in operation in 1929 on the basis of the world's largest deposit.