Natural blue apatite 1.16ct octagon cut, bright neon blue-green in daylight

Natural Apatite Gemstones

Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral (Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)) that occurs in a wide range of colors, from vivid neon blue and green to golden yellow, purple and rare red. Its name comes from the Greek word for deceit, because for centuries it was mistaken for other gems such as tourmaline, beryl and peridot. With a Mohs hardness of only 5, it is softer than most gemstones and best suited to pendants, earrings and collections.

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Gemstone guide

Natural Apatite Gemstones

About apatite

Apatite is far more common than its gem crystals suggest: it is the main mineral of phosphate rock used for fertilizer, and a form of apatite builds our own teeth and bones. Apatite defines 5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Gem-quality material comes from Madagascar, known for an electric blue-green, as well as Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan and Myanmar. Most apatite is sold untreated, although some blue stones are heated.

What you'll find in this collection

Our apatite comes from Africa, Pakistan, Brazil and Madagascar, and all stones are untreated. Most are faceted ovals, rounds, cushions and pears from under a carat to over 28 carats, in blue, yellow, green, red, purple and orange, and there are also natural apatite crystals and a few cabochons.

How to recognise apatite

Apatite's softness is the clearest clue: a steel knife can scratch it, which separates it from the gems it imitates. Blue apatite often shows strong dichroism, blue and yellowish, and its electric color can look similar to Paraiba tourmaline. Crystals are typically six-sided prisms, and some apatite shows a cat's eye effect when cut as a cabochon.

Caring for apatite

Apatite is soft and brittle, and it is sensitive to heat and acids. Set it in protective settings, store it apart from harder stones, and clean it only with lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Every stone is natural, and each listing gives its weight, size, origin and treatment, with photos of the actual stone.