APATITE

 

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Apatite provides attractive gems in a variety of colors : green but also yellow,blue, reddish, brown and purple. In non-gem quality, very large crystals occur weighing up to several hundredweight.   It has a vitreous luster and is sensitive to acids.  Apatite is easily confused with Beryl, Topaz and Tourmaline. 

 

TECHNICAL DETAILS

 

Chemical Composition and Name SiO2 - Silicon Dioxide
Hardness 7
Refractive Index 1.544 - 1.553
Bi-refringence 0.009
Specific Gravity 2.65 - 2.66
Crystalline System Trigonal (Rhombohedral)
Optic Sign Positive
Other Optical Properties

 

Uniaxial

 

 

 

 

  ( View Apatite

Stocks )

 

SOURCES FOR THIS GEMSTONE

Brazil, Burma, Sri Lanka, Czechoslovakia, India, Malagasy Republic, Mexico,Tanzania and the U.S.

TREATMENTS

Typically Apatite is not  HEAT treated.

CARE

It is usually safe to clean Apatite  jewelry in an Ultrasonic cleaner, but risky to use a steamer.  We recommend ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft brush as the best way to clean your gemstone jewelry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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