What's That Rock?Apatite
A phosphate mineral that is the number 5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Colors range from blue and green to yellow.
How to identify Apatite
- Scratched by a steel knife but not by a copper coin
- Six-sided crystals, often stubby
- Brittle
Often confused with
- Berylharder
- Tourmaline
- Fluoritesplits flat
Is Apatite valuable?
Inexpensive to moderate.
Typical retail prices
Cut gemstone$10–100per carat
Collector specimen$8–80each
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color: vivid neon blue or 'paraiba' tones cost most, pale green and yellow cost less
- Clarity and size: clean cut stones are rare because apatite is soft and flawed
- Crystals: well-formed, lustrous crystals on matrix make collector specimens
- Cut stones are mostly for collectors, since the stone scratches easily
Uses
- Source of phosphorus for fertilizer
- Collector gems
Care
Soft and can scratch. Handle gently.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026