Apatite Group
A group of related mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Matt Zukowski
About Apatite Group
Member of:
Name:
The group has its name after the generic name apatite first introduced by the German mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1786 (Gerards 1786). It is derived from the Greek ἀπατάω (apatao), to deceive, in allusion to apatite often being confused with other minerals (e.g., beryl, milarite). The designation "Apatite Group" has been used with different definitions in the history of mineralogy. The new nomenclature of the apatite supergroup and its divisons in 5 groups, among them the apatite group was approved by the IMA in 2010 (Pasero et al. 2010).
A group in the Apatite Supergroup which includes hexagonal and pseudohexagonal phosphates, arsenates and vanadates containing the same species-defining cation at both the M1 and M2 sites (Pasero et al 2010).
"Apatite" (sensu lato) is often used commonly as the generic name for the members of the group which have not been differentiated into specific species through analytical methods but was the name commonly used in the past for fluorapatite (and most still is). Older synonyms for undifferentiated apatites are listed under the Apatite file.
According to Chadefaux et al. (1999) some blue bones may comprise an apatite-group species with pentavalent manganese, confirmed to be present as MnO43- (manganate(V)) anion substituting for the PO43- one.
According to Broska et al. (2014), some apatites may bear small amounts of cyanide (CN-), too.
Some minerals in the apatite group:
Phosphates:
Arsenates:
Vanadates:
May be crucial in early life (genesis) studies.
"Apatite" (sensu lato) is often used commonly as the generic name for the members of the group which have not been differentiated into specific species through analytical methods but was the name commonly used in the past for fluorapatite (and most still is). Older synonyms for undifferentiated apatites are listed under the Apatite file.
According to Chadefaux et al. (1999) some blue bones may comprise an apatite-group species with pentavalent manganese, confirmed to be present as MnO43- (manganate(V)) anion substituting for the PO43- one.
According to Broska et al. (2014), some apatites may bear small amounts of cyanide (CN-), too.
Some minerals in the apatite group:
Phosphates:
Arsenates:
Vanadates:
May be crucial in early life (genesis) studies.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
32275
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:32275:9
IMA Classification of Apatite Group
IMA status notes:
IMA Approved Group Name
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Mesoarchean to Neogene : 3068 ± 225 Ma to 15.7 ± 0.4 Ma - based on 42 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
| Sample ID | Recorded age | Geologic Time | Dating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15.7 ± 0.4 Ma | Miocene | Fission-track |
| 2 | 19.7 ± 2 Ma | Miocene | fission track |
| 3 | 21.8 ± 2.2 Ma | Miocene | fission track |
| 4 | 22.2 ± 2.4 Ma | Miocene | fission track |
| 5 | 24.3 ± 1.9 Ma | Oligocene | fission track |
| 6 | 26.6 ± 3.5 Ma | Oligocene | fission track |
| 7 | 30.0 ± 1.5 Ma | Oligocene | Fission-track dating of apatite from carbonatite |
| 8 | 36.6 to 34.1 Ma | Eocene | Fission-track |
| 9 | 67.7 to 64.9 Ma | Phanerozoic | Fission-track |
| 10 | 72.0 ± 5.3 Ma | Late/Upper Cretaceous | Fission-track |
| 11 | 82.5 Ma | Late/Upper Cretaceous | Fission-track |
| 12 | 87.1 Ma | Late/Upper Cretaceous | fission track |
| 13 | 123 ± 11 Ma | Early/Lower Cretaceous | fission track |
| 14 | 317.3 ± 1.6 Ma | Pennsylvanian | U-Pb |
| 15 | 324 to 317 Ma | Carboniferous | U-Pb |
| 16 | 376 ± 1.6 Ma | Late/Upper Devonian | Rb-Sr |
| 17 | 905 ± 2 Ma | Tonian | Rb-Sr |
| 18 | 2672 Ma | Neoarchean | Pb-Pb |
| 19 | 2833 ± 36 Ma | Mesoarchean | Pb-Pb |
| 20 | 3068 ± 225 Ma | Mesoarchean | Pb-Pb |
Sample references:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| SO3 | 0.01 % | 0.01 % |
| P2O5 | 40.10 % | 41.57 % |
| SiO2 | 0.35 % | 0.20 % |
| La2O3 | 0.22 % | 0.11 % |
| Ce2O3 | 0.20 % | 0.34 % |
| Nd2O3 | 0.06 % | 0.12 % |
| Y2O3 | 0.03 % | 0.01 % |
| CaO | 53.05 % | 53.61 % |
| SrO | 0.09 % | 0.21 % |
| F | 0.64 % | 2.92 % |
| Cl | 6.38 % | 0.14 % |
| -O=(F+Cl) | -1.71 % | -1.26 % |
| As2O5 | 0.03 % | |
| Gd2O3 | 0.01 % | |
| FeO* | 0.31 % | |
| MnO | 1.52 % | |
| PbO | 0.01 % | |
| Na2O | 0.04 % | |
| [H2O] (by stoichiometry) | 0.35 % | |
| Total: | 99.42 % | 100.25 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Ca4.97La0.01Ce0.01)[P0.99Si0.01O4]3(Cl0.95F0.05) |
| 2 | (Ca4.84Mn2+0.11FeT0.02Sr0.01Na0.01Ce0.01)[P0.993Si0.007O4]3(F0.81[OH]0.16Cl0.03) |
| 3 | (Ba3.81Ca0.97Na0.07K0.05Sr0.05Fe0.05)Σ5(P5+2.32V5+0.29S6+0.22Si0.17)Σ3O12(F0.85Cl0.13)Σ0.98 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antanimora Sud Commune, Ambovombe-Androy, Androy, Madagascar | sparse zoned chlorapatite/Cl-rich fluorapatite in marble, with abundant large spinel crystals and sparse scattered forsterite and quartz. Small thorianite inclusions are present in the apatite. The presented analysis is the highest Cl-content area of the crystal. | |
| 2 | Nippyo mine, Awano, Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan | scattered small (10-20 micron) grains, primarily in the quartz-spessartine-[proto-ferro-suenoite]-rich portions of a Mn-rich metasomatite. Empirical formula is the average of two analyses. | |
| 3 | Hatrurim Basin, Tamar Regional Council, Beersheba Subdistrict, Southern District, Israel | via EPMA-WDS; empirical formula basis: 8 O cations pfu |
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020469 | Pieczkaite | Tait K, Ball N A, Hawthorne F C (2015) Pieczkaite, ideally Mn5(PO4)3Cl, a new apatite-supergroup mineral from Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada: Description and crystal structure American Mineralogist 100 1047-1052 | 2015 | Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020249 | Vanadinite | Okudera H (2013) Relationships among channel typology and atomic displacements in the structures of Pb5(BO4)3Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), V (vanadinite), and As (mimetite) American Mineralogist 98 1573-1579 | 2013 | Mibladen, Morocco | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020248 | Vanadinite | Okudera H (2013) Relationships among channel typology and atomic displacements in the structures of Pb5(BO4)3Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), V (vanadinite), and As (mimetite) American Mineralogist 98 1573-1579 | 2013 | Mibladen, Morocco | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020247 | Pyromorphite | Okudera H (2013) Relationships among channel typology and atomic displacements in the structures of Pb5(BO4)3Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), V (vanadinite), and As (mimetite) American Mineralogist 98 1573-1579 | 2013 | Daoping mine, Guangxi, China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020246 | Pyromorphite | Okudera H (2013) Relationships among channel typology and atomic displacements in the structures of Pb5(BO4)3Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), V (vanadinite), and As (mimetite) American Mineralogist 98 1573-1579 | 2013 | Daoping mine, Guangxi, China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020251 | Mimetite | Okudera H (2013) Relationships among channel typology and atomic displacements in the structures of Pb5(BO4)3Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), V (vanadinite), and As (mimetite) American Mineralogist 98 1573-1579 | 2013 | Pingtouling mine, Guangdong, China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020250 | Mimetite | Okudera H (2013) Relationships among channel typology and atomic displacements in the structures of Pb5(BO4)3Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), V (vanadinite), and As (mimetite) American Mineralogist 98 1573-1579 | 2013 | Pingtouling mine, Guangdong, China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020732 | Johnbaumite | Biagioni C, Pasero M (2013) The crystal structure of johnbaumite, Ca5(AsO4)3OH, the arsenate analogue of hydroxylapatite American Mineralogist 98 1580-1584 | 2013 | Harstigen mine, Varmland, Sweden | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020825 | Pyromorphite | Mills S J, Ferraris G, Kampf A R, Favreau G (2012) Twinning in pyromorphite: The first documented occurrence of twinning by merohedry in the apatite supergroup American Mineralogist 97 415-418 | 2012 | Puech de Compolibat, Combret, Aveyron | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017880 | Stronadelphite | Pekov I V, Britvin S N, Zubkova N V, Pushcharovsky D Y, Pasero M, Merlino S (2010) Stronadelphite, Sr5(PO4)3F, a new apatite-group mineral in the southern part of the Khibiny alkaline complex, Kola peninsula, Russia European Journal of Mineralogy 22 869-874 | 2010 | Belovitovoye pegmatite, Kirovskii apatite mine at Mt. Kukisvumchorr, | 0 | 293 | |
| 0004841 | Stronadelphite | Luo Y, Hughes J M, Rakovan J, Pan Y (2009) Site preference of U and Th in Cl, F, and Sr apatites American Mineralogist 94 345-351 |  | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004930 | Johnbaumite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004929 | Johnbaumite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004928 | Johnbaumite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004927 | Hydroxylapatite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004926 | Hydroxylapatite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004925 | Hydroxylapatite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004924 | Hydroxylapatite | Lee Y J, Stephens P W, Tang Y, Li W, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Reeder R J (2009) Arsenate substitution in hydroxylapatite: Structural characterization of the Ca5(PxAs1-xO4)3OH solid solution American Mineralogist 94 666-675 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004839 | Fluorapatite | Luo Y, Hughes J M, Rakovan J, Pan Y (2009) Site preference of U and Th in Cl, F, and Sr apatites American Mineralogist 94 345-351 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004837 | Fluorapatite | Luo Y, Hughes J M, Rakovan J, Pan Y (2009) Site preference of U and Th in Cl, F, and Sr apatites American Mineralogist 94 345-351 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004840 | Chlorapatite | Luo Y, Hughes J M, Rakovan J, Pan Y (2009) Site preference of U and Th in Cl, F, and Sr apatites American Mineralogist 94 345-351 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004838 | Chlorapatite | Luo Y, Hughes J M, Rakovan J, Pan Y (2009) Site preference of U and Th in Cl, F, and Sr apatites American Mineralogist 94 345-351 | | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004639 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X (2008) Accommodation of the carbonate ion in fluorapatite synthesized at high pressure American Mineralogist 93 1460-1469 | | 2008 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004638 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X (2008) Accommodation of the carbonate ion in fluorapatite synthesized at high pressure American Mineralogist 93 1460-1469 | | 2008 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004637 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X (2008) Accommodation of the carbonate ion in fluorapatite synthesized at high pressure American Mineralogist 93 1460-1469 | | 2008 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004514 | Fluorapatite | McCubbin F M, Mason H E, Park H, Phillips B L, Parise J B, Nekvasil H, Lindsley D H (2008) Synthesis and characterization of low-OH- fluor-chlorapatite: a single-crystal XRD and NMR spectroscopic study American Mineralogist 93 210-216 | | 2008 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0014110 | Vanadinite | Laufek F, Skala R, Haloda J, Cisarova I (2006) Crystal structure of vanadinite: refinement of anisotropic displacement parameters Journal of the Czech Geological Society 51 271-275 | 2006 | Mibladen, Morocco | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010311 | Turneaureite | Wardojo T A, Hwu S-J (1996) Chlorapatite: Ca5(AsO4)3Cl Acta Crystallographica C52 2959-2960 |  | 1996 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0020482 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Fransolet A M, Schreyer W (1993) The atomic arrangement of iron-bearing apatite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1993 504-510 | 1993 | Northampton Block, Western Australia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005265 | Mimetite | Yongshan D, Hughes J M, Moore P B (1991) The crystal structures of mimetite and clinomimetite, Pb5(AsO4)3Cl The Canadian Mineralogist 29 369-376 | | 1991 | Johanngeorgenstat, Erzgebirge, Sachsen, Germany | 0 | 293 |
| 0005264 | Mimetite | Yongshan D, Hughes J M, Moore P B (1991) The crystal structures of mimetite and clinomimetite, Pb5(AsO4)3Cl The Canadian Mineralogist 29 369-376 | | 1991 | Durango, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
| 0001257 | Hydroxylapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1989) Structural variations in natural F, OH, and Cl apatites American Mineralogist 74 870-876 | | 1989 | Holly Springs, Georgia, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0001256 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1989) Structural variations in natural F, OH, and Cl apatites American Mineralogist 74 870-876 | | 1989 | Durango Mexico | 0 | 293 |
| 0001258 | Chlorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1989) Structural variations in natural F, OH, and Cl apatites American Mineralogist 74 870-876 | | 1989 | Kragero, Norway | 0 | 293 |
| 0013571 | Pyromorphite | Miyake M, Ishigaki K, Suzuki T (1986) Structure refinements of Pb2+ ion-exchanged apatites by X-ray powder pattern-fitting Journal of Solid State Chemistry 61 230-235 | 1986 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0013570 | Pyromorphite | Miyake M, Ishigaki K, Suzuki T (1986) Structure refinements of Pb2+ ion-exchanged apatites by X-ray powder pattern-fitting Journal of Solid State Chemistry 61 230-235 | 1986 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020489 | Mimetite | Sokolova E V, Egorov-Tismenko Y K (1982) Study of crystalline structures of rare arsentates: duftite and mimetite Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta Geologiya 37 50-56 | 1982 | Cassiterite-sulfide field, Festivalnyi, East Siberia, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020231 | Pieczkaite | Engel G, Pretzsch J, Gramlich V, Baur W H (1975) The crystal structure of hydrothermally grown manganese chlorapatite, Mn5(PO4)3Cl0.9(OH)0.1 Acta Crystallographica B31 1854-1860 | | 1975 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009356 | Hydroxylapatite | Sudarsanan K, Young R A (1969) Significant precision in crystal structural details: Holly Springs hydroxyapatite Acta Crystallographica B25 1534-1543 | | 1969 | Holly Springs, Cherokee County, Georgia, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0009355 | Hydroxylapatite | Sudarsanan K, Young R A (1969) Significant precision in crystal structural details: Holly Springs hydroxyapatite Acta Crystallographica B25 1534-1543 | | 1969 | Holly Springs, Cherokee County, Georgia, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0009354 | Hydroxylapatite | Sudarsanan K, Young R A (1969) Significant precision in crystal structural details: Holly Springs hydroxyapatite Acta Crystallographica B25 1534-1543 | | 1969 | Holly Springs, Cherokee County, Georgia, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0009353 | Hydroxylapatite | Sudarsanan K, Young R A (1969) Significant precision in crystal structural details: Holly Springs hydroxyapatite Acta Crystallographica B25 1534-1543 | | 1969 | Holly Springs, Cherokee County, Georgia, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0003641 | Hydroxylapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X, King P L (2004) Accommodation of the carbonate ion in apatite: An FTIR and X-ray structure study of crystals synthesized at 2-4 GPa American Mineralogist 89 1422-1432 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003640 | Hydroxylapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X, King P L (2004) Accommodation of the carbonate ion in apatite: An FTIR and X-ray structure study of crystals synthesized at 2-4 GPa American Mineralogist 89 1422-1432 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003527 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Ertl A, Bernhardt H J, Rossman G R, Rakovan J F (2004) Mn-rich fluorapatite from Autria: Crystal structure, chemical analysis, and spectroscopic investigations American Mineralogist 89 629-632 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0008534 | Fluorapatite | Comodi P, Liu Y, Zanazzi P F, Montagnoli M (2001) Structural and vibrational behaviour of fluorapatite with pressure. Part 1: in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 28 219-224 | 2001 | 0.0001 | 293 | ||
| 0005688 | Fluorapatite | Rakovan J F, Hughes J M (2000) Strontium in the apatite structure: Strontian fluorapatite and belovite-(Ce) The Canadian Mineralogist 38 839-845 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002519 | Chlorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X, Pan Y (2000) Rare-earth elements in chlorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(Cl)2]: Uptake, site preference, and degradation of monoclinic structure American Mineralogist 85 1437-1446 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002518 | Chlorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X, Pan Y (2000) Rare-earth elements in chlorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(Cl)2]: Uptake, site preference, and degradation of monoclinic structure American Mineralogist 85 1437-1446 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002517 | Chlorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X, Pan Y (2000) Rare-earth elements in chlorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(Cl)2]: Uptake, site preference, and degradation of monoclinic structure American Mineralogist 85 1437-1446 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002516 | Chlorapatite | Fleet M E, Liu X, Pan Y (2000) Rare-earth elements in chlorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(Cl)2]: Uptake, site preference, and degradation of monoclinic structure American Mineralogist 85 1437-1446 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002296 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002295 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002294 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002293 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002292 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002291 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002290 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002289 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002288 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002287 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002286 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002285 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002284 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002283 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002282 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002281 | Hydroxylapatite | Wilson R M, Elliot J C, Dowker S E P (1999) Rietveld refinement of the crystallographic structure of human dental enamel apatites American Mineralogist 84 1406-1414 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001937 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1997) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite: Binary (LREE+HREE)- substituted crystals American Mineralogist 82 870-877 | | 1997 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001936 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1997) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite: Binary (LREE+HREE)- substituted crystals American Mineralogist 82 870-877 | | 1997 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001935 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1997) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite: Binary (LREE+HREE)- substituted crystals American Mineralogist 82 870-877 | | 1997 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001934 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1997) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite: Binary (LREE+HREE)- substituted crystals American Mineralogist 82 870-877 | | 1997 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001726 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1995) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite American Mineralogist 80 329-335 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001725 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1995) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite American Mineralogist 80 329-335 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001724 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1995) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite American Mineralogist 80 329-335 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001723 | Fluorapatite | Fleet M E, Pan Y (1995) Site preference of rare earth elements in fluorapatite American Mineralogist 80 329-335 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001375 | Hydroxylapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Mariano A N (1991) Rare-earth-element ordering and structural variations in natural rare-earth-bearing apatites sample B from the Oka carbonatite American Mineralogist 76 1165-1173 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001424 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1991) Ordering of divalent cations in the apatite structure: Crystal structure refinements of natural Mn- and Sr-bearing apatite sample Mn.42 American Mineralogist 76 1857-1862 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001423 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1991) Ordering of divalent cations in the apatite structure: Crystal structure refinements of natural Mn- and Sr-bearing apatite sample Mn1.21 American Mineralogist 76 1857-1862 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001422 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1991) Ordering of divalent cations in the apatite structure: Crystal structure refinements of natural Mn- and Sr-bearing apatite sample Sr.29 American Mineralogist 76 1857-1862 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001421 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1991) Ordering of divalent cations in the apatite structure: Crystal structure refinements of natural Mn- and Sr-bearing apatite sample Sr.63 American Mineralogist 76 1857-1862 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001374 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Mariano A N (1991) Rare-earth-element ordering and structural variations in natural rare-earth-bearing apatites sample from the Oka carbonatite American Mineralogist 76 1165-1173 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001373 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Mariano A N (1991) Rare-earth-element ordering and structural variations in natural rare-earth-bearing apatites sample from Kipawa, Quebec American Mineralogist 76 1165-1173 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001372 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Mariano A N (1991) Rare-earth-element ordering and structural variations in natural rare-earth-bearing apatites sample from Pajarito, New Mexico American Mineralogist 76 1165-1173 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001290 | Fluorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1990) Crystal structures of natural ternary apatites: Solid solution in the Ca5(PO4)3X (X = F,OH,Cl) system American Mineralogist 75 295-304 | | 1990 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001291 | Chlorapatite | Hughes J M, Cameron M, Crowley K D (1990) Crystal structures of natural ternary apatites: Solid solution in the Ca5(PO4)3X (X = F,OH,Cl) system American Mineralogist 75 295-304 | | 1990 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005225 | Vanadinite | Dai Y S, Hughes J M (1989) Crystal-structure refinements of vanadinite and pyromorphite The Canadian Mineralogist 27 189-192 | | 1989 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005226 | Pyromorphite | Dai Y S, Hughes J M (1989) Crystal-structure refinements of vanadinite and pyromorphite The Canadian Mineralogist 27 189-192 | | 1989 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009691 | Alforsite | Hata M, Marumo F, Iwai S, Aoki H (1979) Structure of barium chlorapatite Acta Crystallographica B35 2382-2384 | | 1979 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005076 | Vanadinite | Trotter J, Barnes W H (1958) The structure of vanadinite The Canadian Mineralogist 6 161-173 | | 1958 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017528 | Fluorapatite | Bale W (1940) A comparative Roentgen-ray diffraction study of several natural apatites and the apatite-like constituent of bone and tooth substance _cod_database_code 1010647 American Journal of Roentgenology 43 735-747 | 1940 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018027 | Vanadinite | Hendricks S, Jefferson M, Mosley V (1932) The Crystal Structures of Some Natural and Synthetic Apatite-Like Substances _cod_database_code 1011138 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 81 352-369 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018026 | Pyromorphite | Hendricks S, Jefferson M, Mosley V (1932) The crystal structures of some natural and synthetic apatite-like substances _cod_database_code 1011137 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 81 352-369 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017912 | Mimetite | Hendricks S, Jefferson M, Mosley V (1932) The Crystal Structures of Some Natural and Synthetic Apatite-Like Substances _cod_database_code 1010997 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 81 352-369 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018108 | Hydroxylapatite | Hendricks S, Jefferson M, Mosley V (1932) The Crystal Structures of Some Natural and Synthetic Apatite-Like Substances _cod_database_code 1011242 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 81 352-369 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017911 | Fluorapatite | Hendricks S, Jefferson M, Mosley V (1932) The Crystal Structures of Some Natural and Synthetic Apatite-Like Substances _cod_database_code 1010996 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 81 352-369 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017642 | Chlorapatite | Hendricks S, Jefferson M, Mosley V (1932) The Crystal Structures of Some Natural and Synthetic Apatite-Like Substances _cod_database_code 1010916 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 81 352-369 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017946 | Fluorapatite | Naray-Szabo S (1930) The structure of apatite (Ca F) Ca4 (P O4)3 _cod_database_code 1011044 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 75 387-398 | 1930 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008535 | Fluorapatite | Comodi P, Liu Y, Zanazzi P F, Montagnoli M (2001) Structural and vibrational behaviour of fluorapatite with pressure. Part 1: in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 28 219-224 | 2001 | 3.04 | 293 | ||
| 0008536 | Fluorapatite | Comodi P, Liu Y, Zanazzi P F, Montagnoli M (2001) Structural and vibrational behaviour of fluorapatite with pressure. Part 1: in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigation Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 28 219-224 | 2001 | 4.72 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Relationship of Apatite Group to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Apatite Supergroup:
| Belovite Group | A group in the Apatite Supergroup which includes hexagonal and trigonal phosphates with the M1 site split ... | |
| Britholite Group | (REE,Ca)5[(Si,P)O4]3X | |
| Ellestadite Group | A group in the Apatite Supergroup which includes hexagonal and pseudohexagonal sulphato-silicates with the ... | |
| Hedyphane Group | A group in the Apatite Supergroup which includes hexagonal and pseudohexagonal phosphates, arsenates and ... | |
| 'Unnamed (Sr-Ca Fluor Phosphate)' | Ca3Sr2(PO4)3F | |
| Vanackerite | Pb4Cd(AsO4)3Cl | Trig. 3 : P3 |
Apatite Group Members:
| 'Apatite' | Ca5(PO4)3A | |
| Alforsite | Ba5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluoralforsite | Ba5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P6/m |
| Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hydroxylpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm |
| Johnbaumite | Ca5(AsO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Oxypyromorphite' | Pb10(PO4)6O | |
| Pieczkaite | Mn5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Pliniusite | Ca5(VO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Stronadelphite | Sr5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Svabite | Ca5(AsO4)3F | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc |
| Turneaureite | Ca5(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)' | Pb5(AsO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Vanadinite | Pb5(VO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
Click on any node to view relationships. Formula-derived relationship network for the group members above. Use Find related species to add formula-neighbour species outside the current group view. Solid links show inferred chemical differences; dashed violet links show same-formula crystallographic differences. Hydration states are not treated as relationship changes. These relationships do not imply any real-world substitution reactions between these species.
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Apatite Group in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
- Igneous rock
- Sedimentary rock and sediment
- Metamorphic rock
- Meteorite and other extra-terrestrial rock and sediment
Internet Links for Apatite Group
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-32275.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Apatite Group
Reference List:
Chadefaux, C., Vignaud, C., Chalmin, E., Robles-Camacho, J., Arroyo-Cabrales, J., Johnson, E., Reiche, I. (2009) Color origin and heat evidence of paleontological bones: Case study of blue and gray bones from San Josecito Cave, Mexico. American Mineralogist, 94 (1) 27-33 doi:10.2138/am.2009.2860
Pasero, Marco, Kampf, Anthony R., Ferraris, Cristiano, Pekov, Igor V., Rakovan, John, White, Timothy J. (2010) Nomenclature of the apatite supergroup minerals. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22 (2) 163-179 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2010/0022-2022
Broska, Igor, Krogh Ravna, Erling J., Vojtko, Peter, Janák, Marian, Konečný, Patrik, Pentrák, Martin, Bačík, Peter, Luptáková, Jarmila, Kullerud, Kåre (2014) Oriented inclusions in apatite in a post-UHP fluid-mediated regime (Tromsø Nappe, Norway) European Journal of Mineralogy, 26 (5) 623-634 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2014/0026-2396
Hughes, J. M., Rakovan, J. F. (2015) Structurally Robust, Chemically Diverse: Apatite and Apatite Supergroup Minerals. Elements, 11 (3) 165-170 doi:10.2113/gselements.11.3.165
Patrick D. Roycroft, Martine Cuypers (2015) The Etymology of The Mineral Name ‘Apatite’: A Clarification. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 33. 71 doi:10.3318/ijes.2015.33.71
Walton, Craig R., Shorttle, Oliver, Jenner, Frances E., Williams, Helen M., Golden, Joshua, Morrison, Shaunna M., Downs, Robert T., Zerkle, Aubrey, Hazen, Robert M., Pasek, Matthew (2021) Phosphorus mineral evolution and prebiotic chemistry: From minerals to microbes. Earth-Science Reviews, 221. 103806pp. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103806
Fau, Amaury, Beyssac, Olivier, Gauthier, Michel, Panczer, Gérard, Gasnault, Olivier, Meslin, Pierre-Yves, Bernard, Sylvain, Maurice, Sylvestre, Forni, Olivier, Boulliard, Jean-Claude, Bosc, Françoise, Drouet, Christophe (2022) Time-resolved Raman and luminescence spectroscopy of synthetic REE-doped hydroxylapatites and natural apatites. American Mineralogist, 107 (7) 1341-1352 doi:10.2138/am-2022-8006
Significant localities for Apatite Group
Showing 114 significant localities out of 20,763 recorded on mindat.org.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| [Fluorapatite, Pyromorphite] Worner et al. (1982) |
| [Mimetite] England et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite] Costas Constantinides collection |
| [Mimetite] N.R. Kemp and R.S. Bottrill : ... |
| [Pyromorphite] R Bottrill collection |
Austria | |
| [Fluorapatite] Harjo Neutkens collection. +1 other reference |
| [Mimetite, Pyromorphite] Tomazic (1999) |
Belgium | |
| [Apatite] Harjo Neutkens collection. |
Bolivia | |
| [Fluorapatite] - (Widespread in collections in Bolivia.) |
| [Hydroxylapatite var: Carbonate-rich Hydroxylapatite] Alfredo Petrov (1997) |
Canada | |
| [Pieczkaite] Williams et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite] Joyce (2006) |
| [Fluorapatite] King (n.d.) +3 other references |
| [Fluorapatite] Michael Bainbridge collection | |
| [Apatite] Matthew Neuzil Collection |
| [Apatite] R & M for the collector Ottawa-North Bay +1 other reference |
| [Apatite] R & M for the collector Ottawa-North Bay +1 other reference | |
| [Apatite, Fluorapatite] Olivier Langelier Collection +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite] Lafontaine (1979) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| [Fluorapatite var: Cuproapatite] |
China | |
| [Pyromorphite] Liu et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| [Johnbaumite] Desor (01/22) +1 other reference |
France | |
| [Apatite] Lefèvre M. (1996) |
| [Pyromorphite] Le Roc'h P. () |
| [Mimetite var: Campylite] Thierry Brunsperger collection |
| [Pyromorphite] Mines |
| [Pyromorphite] Brousse (1982) |
Germany | |
| [Pyromorphite] Weiß (1990) |
| [Pyromorphite] Weiß (1990) | |
| [Pyromorphite] Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
| [Fluorapatite] Thomas et al. (2000) |
| [Mimetite] Wittern (2001) |
| [Pyromorphite] tw.strahlen.org (2010) +1 other reference | |
Greenland | |
| [Apatite var: Yttriumapatite] Flink (1901) +1 other reference |
| [Apatite] Petersen et al. (1993) |
Israel | |
| [Fluoralforsite] Bosi et al. (2023) |
| [Pliniusite] Hålenius et al. (2018) +1 other reference | |
Italy | |
| [Pyromorphite] Bornemann (1898) +3 other references |
| [Apatite] Struever (1871) |
Mexico | |
| [Vanadinite var: Arsenic-bearing Vanadinite] |
| [Mimetite] Panczner (1987) |
| [Mimetite] Panczner (1987) +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite] Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| [Vanadinite] Palache et al. (1951) |
Morocco | |
| [Fluorapatite] James Stroud's Collection |
| [Vanadinite] Praszkier (2013) |
| [Vanadinite] Praszkier (2013) | |
Namibia | |
| [Mimetite] Rocks & Minerals (xxxx) +4 other references |
Norway | |
| [Fluorapatite] Breivik et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| [Hydroxylapatite] Nordrum et al. (2010) |
| [Chlorapatite] Rammelsberg (1860) +1 other reference |
Pakistan | |
| [Apatite] personnal observation on field (in Peshawar) |
Peru | |
| [Apatite] - (specimens are widespread in numerous collections) |
| [Fluorapatite] collections of Rock Currier +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite] Crowley et al. (1997) |
Portugal | |
| [Fluorapatite] Rocks & Min.:62:333 |
| [Fluorapatite] Figueiras +5 other references | |
| [Fluorapatite] various correctly added photos |
Russia | |
| [Fluorpyromorphite] Miyawaki et al. (2022) |
| [Pliniusite] Hålenius et al. (2018) +2 other references |
| [Stronadelphite] Pekov et al. (2010) |
| [Pyromorphite] World of Stones 2/93 p.35. +2 other references |
Spain | |
| [Pyromorphite] Calvo (2015) |
| [Pyromorphite] Calvo (2015) |
| [Mimetite] Colectivo Arrayanes et al. (2008) |
| [Pyromorphite] Calvo et al. (2018) |
| [Apatite] Garcia G. et al. (2004) |
| [Fluorapatite] Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
Sweden | |
| [Apatite] The Swedish Museum of Natural History ... +1 other reference |
| [Turneaureite] Dunn et al. (1985) |
| [Svabite] Sjögren (1892) +1 other reference |
| [Chlorapatite, Chlorapatite var: Munkforssite] Igelström (1897) +1 other reference |
Tanzania | |
| [Fluorapatite] Bindi +3 other references |
| [Fluorapatite] King (n.d.) +3 other references | |
Thailand | |
| [Mimetite] Bode (1998) +3 other references |
UK | |
| [Mimetite var: Campylite] Phillips (1837) +9 other references |
| [Vanadinite] Gillanders (1981) |
| [Pyromorphite] |
| [Pyromorphite] |
| [Pyromorphite] Greg et al. (1858) +3 other references |
USA | |
| [Vanadinite] Guild (1911) +9 other references |
| [Vanadinite] Pellegrin (1911) +2 other references |
| [Alforsite] Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference |
| [Alforsite] Newberry et al. (1981) +1 other reference | |
| [Pyromorphite] Januzzi (1959) |
| [Pyromorphite] Schooner (1961) +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite] Mike Polletta specimen |
| [Fluorapatite] Bowman (1902) +2 other references |
| [Fluorapatite] Moritz (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| [Fluorapatite, Fluorapatite var: Manganese-bearing Fluorapatite] USGS Professional Paper 255: 333-338. +5 other references | |
| [Fluorapatite] Rocks & Min.: 16:94. |
| [Pyromorphite] Dunn (1982) +3 other references |
| [Fluorapatite] King et al. (1994) |
| [Fluorapatite] Dunn (1977) | |
| [Fluorapatite] M. Haritos collection +1 other reference |
| [Pyromorphite] Rocks & Minerals (1948) +1 other reference |
| [Hydroxylpyromorphite] Hålenius et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| [Apatite] State NJ Bull. #50:192. +2 other references |
| [Johnbaumite, Turneaureite] Dunn et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
| [Johnbaumite] | |
| [Fluorapatite] Moritz (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| [Turneaureite] Dunn et al. (1985) |
| [Fluorapatite] Jack Eaker collection. +2 other references |
| [Pyromorphite] Genth et al. (1881) |
| [Fluorapatite] Former Steve Adams collection |
| [Pyromorphite] Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania +4 other references |
| [Fluorapatite] Self collected by Franklin Roberts |
Zambia | |
| [Pyromorphite] Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
Teufelsmühle, Bramberg am Wildkogel, Zell am See District, Salzburg, Austria