Apatite: Emmons Mine Greenwood Maine.

Apatite

 This is my most recent sample from Emmons Mine, Greenwood, Main.  The Apatite is purple and below we have Muscovite

Apatite

Ca10(Po4)6(OH,F,Cl)2

 

Apatite

 Apatite is also known as: Hydroxylapatite, Fluorapatite, and Chlorapatite.  The mineral was named my the German Geologist, Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1786.

 This is at least the fourth sample of Apatite I own and have photographed.

It is the defining mineral for hardness "5" on the Mohs Scale.  It will scratch minerals which are 4 and under on the scale.  Minerals with are 6 and higher will scratch it.  The hardest, "10" is diamond and the softest, "1" is talc.  It is a major component of tooth enamel and bone.  It is used in the manufacture of fertilizer.

Thanks to Wikipedia and Mindat.org for the information provided.

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