Fluorapatite is the most common member of the apatite group and is highly prized by collectors for its sharp hexagonal prismatic crystals. It is frequently found in igneous pegmatites and metamorphic limestones, often displaying vibrant colors that can mimic other precious stones.
Is this fluorapatite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch fluorapatite with a known reference. Fluorapatite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to subresinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, sea-green, violet, purple, blue, pink, yellow, brown, white, may be zoned.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, tabular, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Fluorapatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Beryl is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5-8 vs. 5).
How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 5).
How to tell apart: Tourmaline is the harder of the two (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 5).
Often found alongside fluorapatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorapatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₅(PO₄)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.1-3.25 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to subresinous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, tabular, massive, granular
- Cleavage
- Poor on {0001} and {1010}
- Fluorescence
- Often fluorescent yellow, green, or blue under UV light
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Geological research, Industrial
- Host rock
- The most common rock-forming phosphate mineral
Where rockhounds find fluorapatite
16 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Pulsifer quarry, Mt. Apatite, Auburn, Androscoggin Co., Maine, USA
- Ehrenfriedersdorf, Saxony, Germany
- Untersulzbachtal, Salzburg, Austria
- Panasqueira, Portugal
- Pech, Kunar Province, Afghanistan
- Chumar Bakhoor, Nagar, Gilgit district, Pakistan
U.S. states with fluorapatite
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce fluorapatite.
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: The most common rock-forming phosphate mineral. If you start seeing diopside, forsterite, scapolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, tabular, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maine, Utah, South Dakota. Start trip planning there.
More fluorapatite photos
Common questions
How do you identify fluorapatite?+
Where is fluorapatite found?+
Can I find fluorapatite in the United States?+
What rocks look like fluorapatite?+
What minerals are found with fluorapatite?+
What kind of rock does fluorapatite form in?+
What is fluorapatite used for?+
Find fluorapatite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
