Properties of Apatite

Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals that are commonly found in various types of rocks, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It is composed of calcium phosphate, fluorine, chlorine, or hydroxide.

Image of apatite mineral
Credit: Raimond Spekking, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of apatite properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Apatite Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical FormulaCa5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)
Molar Mass504.3 g/mol
Crystal SystemHexagonal
Mohs Hardness5
Density3100 - 3350 kg/m3
ColorWhite, yellow, green, red, or blue
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
LusterSubresinous
Cleavage(0001) indistinct, (1010) indistinct
FractureConchoidal
StreakWhite

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.