Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral that occurs in the entire range of transparency, from totally opaque, through translucent specimens, to completely transparent stones. It exists in a wide range of colors and is one of the few gemstones that can be cut faceted as well as cut to show a cat’s eye.
Did you know?
Interestingly, apatite was the favorite gemstone of Dom DeLuise’s girlfriend in the 1980 comedy, Fatso. If you know the movie, which is about a young man trying to lose weight, I’m sure you’d agree that the fact that “apatite” is a homonym for “appetite” was not coincidental!
Interestingly, apatite was the favorite gemstone of Dom DeLuise’s girlfriend in the 1980 comedy, Fatso. If you know the movie, which is about a young man trying to lose weight, I’m sure you’d agree that the fact that “apatite” is a homonym for “appetite” was not coincidental!
•Where is apatite found?
Apatite is mined in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, Canada, Africa, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, the United States (New York, Maine, North Carolina, and elsewhere), and Mexico.
•Color
Apatite occurs in several colors, including yellow, brown, blue, pink, violet, purple, green, and colorless. Blue apatite can be cut into cabochons to show a cat’s eye. The yellow-green variety of apatite (mostly found in Spain) is known as asparagus stone.
•Shape
Apatite is cut into all the faceted gemstone shapes: round brilliant, oval, pear, marquise, emerald, heart, square, trillion, and fantasy. Neon blue apatite is also cut into cabochons (with a distinctive cat’s eye effect).
•Durability
Apatite is only a 5 on the Mohs Scale and is considered a relatively soft stone. The safest way to wear apatite is in earrings, pendants, and brooches. Rings set with apatite should be worn with care.
•Quality
The quality of faceted apatite stones is evaluated in the same manner as other faceted gemstones: by the presence of (or lack of) internal inclusions and the vividness and uniformity of the individual stone’s color. The quality of neon blue cabochon apatite stones is judged by the smoothness of the stone’s surface texture, the uniformity of its color, and the intensity of the stone’s “cat’s eye” effect.
•Legend and lore
Apatite is reputed to bless the wearer with the ability to accept all things in their lives as they occur, with patience and grace.
•Care
Clean your apatite jewelry in a mild soapy solution, rinse well under warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Do not boil apatite or soak it in ammonia-based jewelry cleaning solution. Also avoid drastic temperature changes.
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