The basics
So what is apatite, really?
Apatite is a phosphate mineral, and it's the reference stone for 5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Softer than quartz, a bit harder than a copper coin.
The name comes from the Greek word for "to deceive", because early collectors kept mistaking it for other minerals like beryl and tourmaline. Most bright blue apatite comes from Madagascar.


