APATITE

Mineral characteristic.

The term "apatite" was coined in 1788, A. Werner. Apatite - calcium phosphate - is usually found in the form of a solid granular mass. Formula: Ca5 (PO4) 3 (F, Cl, OH). Hardness: 5.0. Gloss glass. Less ingrown come across some of its prismatic crystals in the rock. Opaque crystals can reach with huge sizes. For example, prisms apatite were detected in Canada, weighing more than 200 kg, and about 2 meters long!

Much rarer small transparent crystals, which are of value as raw material for jewelry work. The faceted form of a layman can quite easily be confused with a solid beryllium, diopside or tourmalines. Hence, perhaps, and there was the name of the mineral (Greek apathao -. "Cheating"). According to another version, the stone is called "fraud" as the diversity of its forms and colors is very large. Chemically pure apatite colorless, the color of it is given by a variety of impurities. Color transparent apatite varies from yellow and green to blue and purple. Apatity used as ornamental material, and sometimes as inserts in jewelry.

There apatite blue, bluish-green, purple, yellow, green, brown, colorless and with the effect of "cat's eye". Transparent beautifully painted apatite used as a gemstone, which requires careful handling because of relatively low hardness - 5. But these gemstones are very rare. Jewelry apatite are quite small in size - typically up to 5 carats, occasionally up to 20 carats. Large stones golden-green color weighing 147 carats was found in Kenya, defect-free stones weighing 100 carats were processed in Canada. Painting apatite associated with many trace elements that are part of the mineral. When processing apatite faceted faceting give less transparent stones kaboshoniruyut. Popular as mineral specimens in collections.

Jewelry apatite deposits occur in different countries. Blue apatite known in Burma, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Finland; blue-green - in Norway; green - in India, Canada, Mozambique, Burma, Madagascar; yellow - in Mexico, Canada, Brazil; brown - in Canada; purple - in Germany, Czechoslovakia, the United States (the states of Maine, California); colorless - Burma, Italy and Germany; cat's eye - in Sri Lanka and Burma. The Russian apatite jewelry found on the Kola Peninsula and in the Trans-Baikal - blue, in East and Trans-Baikal region in the Pamir - pink on Aldan - green. When identification is necessary to pay special attention to the low hardness.

The magical properties of stones.

It is believed that blue apatite able to cool the raging emotions and cause the owner a little peace and drowsiness. Not accidentally called apatite stone appeasement. Green apatite contribute to a good mood and develop an optimistic point of view. It is believed that yellow apatite can exert a beneficial effect on the whole body. Together with rock crystal blue or colorless crystals of apatite can be used for the harmonization of the physical condition, these are similar to rock crystal. Apatite - neutral stone and can not harm the host.