Purple Fluorapatite is highly prized by collectors for its vibrant violet to deep purple hues and sharp hexagonal crystal geometry. It is frequently found as distinct, well-formed prisms in pockets within pegmatites or hydrothermal environments, often accompanied by Quartz or Muscovite. Collectors should look for high-clarity specimens with sharp terminal faces, as these command the highest interest.
Is this purple 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 purple fluorapatite with a known reference. Purple 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. Purple Fluorapatite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Purple Fluorapatite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: purple, violet.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Purple Fluorapatite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside purple fluorapatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with purple 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
- 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Fluorescence
- Often Bright Yellow or Violet Under UV Light
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins, Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find purple fluorapatite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Panasqueira, Portugal
- Sapo Mine, Brazil
- Bolivia
- Pakistan
- Maine, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where purple fluorapatite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, muscovite, topaz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maine — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify purple fluorapatite?+
Where is purple fluorapatite found?+
Can I find purple fluorapatite in the United States?+
How much is purple fluorapatite worth?+
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Find purple fluorapatite on the map
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