General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 509.12 gm)
Calcium 39.36 % Ca
Phosphorus 18.25 % P
Hydrogen 0.07 % H
Chlorine 2.32 % Cl
Oxygen 38.76 % O
Fluorine 1.24 % F
Empirical Formula:
Ca5(PO4)3OH0.3333F0.3333Cl0.3333
IMA Status:
Not IMA Approved
Locality:
Common world wide.
Name Origin:
Named from the Greek apatao - "I am misleading."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[0001] Indistinct, [1010] Indistinct
Color:
white, yellow, green, red, or blue.
Density:
3.16 - 3.22, Average = 3.19
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Colloform - Forming from a gel or colloidal mass., Massive - Granular - Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock., Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible cr ystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite).
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
More details...