Apatite Mining

Description:-

Apatite is a mineral and commonly known as a type of phosphorus chemical which is very much required in the process of photosynthesis. It is also a gemstone that is transparent and very rarely found. Most of the consumers in the jewellery world still do not know the existence of such a stone and so it is rarely used to beautify a piece of jewellery. But the gemstone collectors are very much attracted to this gem because it is found in wide variety of colours and different forms. This precious gem has wide variety of colours and among them the most sought after are green blue, purple, violet and also moroxite ?a deep blue variety which is attained by heating to enhance the colour of the jewel.

This precious gem though not known much to the people is slowly being introduced into the jewellery business worldwide by embodying it in pins, earrings etc. But it should not be used on regular basis as there are chances of getting damaged.

This stone is found in many parts in the world and it is mainly found in Myanmar, India, Srilanka, South Africa and also the United States. This precious stone helps the wearer to be mentally and spiritually strong and it helps in gaining self confidence and individuality. The vibration of this stone is very great, any sadness associated with past life will be erased and it will help us to gain self confidence.

This transparent gem stone with blue, green, yellow colour and with absolute clarity is cut into gem stones. Extra colour is given through heat treatment. This precious stone is little known to the jewellery world due to its brittle nature. This gem has the tendency to break into parts because of its soft nature .When it comes to the color of this gem it is noticed that each and every gem stone with its particular colour has its own significance.

The colour blue which is the most popular among this gem stone has the capacity to give the wearer a mood of happiness. The yellow colour helps the wearer to suppress his appetite, Green colour gives peace and harmony to the body. Apatite also appears in rounded and rough forms. It is said that this stone has a therapeutic value. While the round form help us to allow a free flow of nutrients needed for our body the rough one help the wearer to be free from all viral infections including cold and fever.

It is always seen that the commercial traders rarely use stones which are popular among the gem collectors. There are many reasons and the foremost reason is that these stones are rare and another important reason is its brittle nature. This is the reason why this precious gem is not very common in the world of jewellery.

When it comes to treatment of this blue and yellow gemstone, it normally does not require any kind of additional treatments. However heat treatment is given to improve the colour and like the other gem stones dark coloured apatite has more value among the traders.

This precious beautiful gem has to be cleaned only with soft cloth and mild soapy solution. Care should be taken while handling this gem. It should be stored separately in a box as there are chances of getting scratched or damaged.

Physical Properties :-

Name

Apatite

Varieties

Chlorapatite, Fluorapatite, Moroxite, Vanadinite, Wilkeite

Crystallography 

Hexagonal. Crystals usually prismatic or stubby; massive, granular, compact; oolitic, earthy.

Refractive Index 

1.598-1.667, variable with composition. See "Apatite Properties and Identification" below.

Colors 

Colorless, green, white, blue, brown, yellow, purple, violet, gray, pink, and various shades of most of these colors.

Luster 

Vitreous in crystals

Hardness 

5 (some massive varieties 3-4)

Wearability 

Poor

Fracture 

Conchoidal to uneven

Specific Gravity 

3.10-3.35; massive varieties 2.5-2.9. See "Apatite Properties and Identification" below.

Birefringence 

0.001-0.013. See "Apatite Properties and Identification" below.

Cleavage 

Poor

Dispersion 

0.013

Heat Sensitivity

Very

Luminescence 

See "Apatite Properties and Identification" below.

Luminescence Present

Yes

Luminescence Type

Fluorescent, UV-Long, UV-Short

Typical Treatments

Heat Treatment

Special Care Instructions

Avoid rough handling

Transparency 

Transparent

Absorption Spectrum 

Blue and yellow apatites display a rare earth (“didymium,” i.e. praseodymium + neodymium) spectrum. Yellow gems have 7-line group at 5800 and 5 lines at 5200. Blue gems give broad bands at 5120, 4910, and 4640.

Phenomena 

Chatoyancy. (Synthetics may show color change; natural apatites do not).

Formula

Ca5(PO4)3(F,OH, Cl)3. Ca often replaced by Sr, Mn. Also contains: Ce, rare earths, U, Th. PO4 replaced by SO4 + SiO2. Carbonate apatites contain CO2. F is also present in the variety francolite.

Pleochroism 

Distinct in blue-green varieties; otherwise weak. Yellow stones may give yellowish/greenish or brownish/greenish. Gem blue apatite shows strong dichroism: blue/yellow.

Optics 

Very variable with composition: = 1.598-1.666; = 1.603-1.667. Gem varieties: o = 1.632-1.649, = 1.628-1.642. See "Apatite Properties and Identification" below. Uniaxial (-); francolite may be biaxial, 2= 25-40°.

Optic Sign

Uniaxial -, Biaxial -

Etymology

From the Greek apatein, meaning “to deceive,” because mineralogists had confused apatite with other species.

Occurrence

Apatite is found in a wide variety of rock types. Igneous rocks are usually characterized by F and OH varieties, some containing Mn. Apatite occurs in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins and cavities, metamorphic rocks, and as detrital grains in sedimentary rocks and phosphate beds.

Inclusions

Healed fractures, hollow growth tubes.


Natural Occurrence :

Myanmar, India, Srilanka, South Africa and the United States.

Available Colors :

Green, Blue, Purple, Violet and Moroxite

Related Mining

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emerald
spinel
tourmaline
opal
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