General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Ca5(PO4,CO3)3(OH)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 484.83 gm)
Calcium 41.33 % Ca
Phosphorus 15.97 % P
Hydrogen 0.21 % H
Carbon 1.24 % C
Oxygen 41.25 % O
Empirical Formula:
Ca5(PO4)2.5(CO3)0.5(OH)
Environment:
Sedimentary and skarn rocks. Common as bones and teeth in mammals.
Locality:
Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA.
Name Origin:
Named as the carbonate and hydroxyl end-member and from the Greek apatao - "I am misleading."
Physical Properties:
Color:
colorless or white.
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite)., Pulverulent - Forms a loose, poorly-coherent powdery mass., Nodular - Tuberose forms having i rregular protuberances over the surface.
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luminescence:
Phosphorescent fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous - Resinous
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