Apatite Gemstone Information

Apatite is a naturally occurring gemstone, largely unknown to the general public but prized by collectors for its many different colors and forms. The most common gem variety is a translucent to transparent semiprecious gemstone that is steadily increasing in popularity within the jewelry trade.  It is basically known for its asparagus green color but it is found in wide range of colors, from colorless to pink, yellow, blue to violet. The cost of the stone increases with the intensity of the color.  The best apatite is neon greenish blue with a clean clarity. The color of the best specimens of this type rivals the famed Paraiba tourmalines, and Apatite is available at but a fraction of Paraiba's price. 

Apatite gemstonesare fairly soft and not as often used for rings, but are very popular as earrings and pendants because of their unusual intense colors.

The prices and value of Apatite can vary tremendously, depending on the size and quality of the gemstone.  AJS Gems is your source for the highest quality Apatite and many other precious colored stones from across the globe, available at Bangkok direct wholesale prices.  Your gorgeous gemstone from AJS Gems is sure to impress when set into jewelry, be it a platinum mans ring, a lovely yellow gold ladies ring, a silver pendant necklace or white gold earrings sold as a matched set.  Our loose gem stones are used to create the finest gemstone jewelry - You will positively love setting your loose cut gems into yellow gold, white gold, silver or platinum jewelry, whether your design or your jeweler's creation.  Discover the thrill of designing your own unique top quality Apatite rings, Apatite earrings, Apatite pendants,  wedding sets, or that special Apatite bracelet necklace set to be given as a loving gift to that special someone in your life.  Creating the finest jewelry starts with finding the best gemstones, and the best gemstones are found at AJS Gems.

 
Why Buy Loose Gemstones Instead of Pre-Set Jewelry?
 
There are many reasons, but mainly it comes down to value and choice...

When buying your Apatite gemstone loose instead of a pre-set stone, you can be sure that you are getting the best value for your money.  Loose gemstones are less expensive, a better value, and you can really see what you are paying for.  The most important part of getting the right price and finding the best value is to first see what you're getting.  A jewelry setting will hide the inclusions inside a gem, and can deepen or brighten its color.  With a loose stone you can much more easily inspect the gem and see it for what it really is.  In this way you can get a better idea of its true worth and be sure you are paying a fair price.

The second advantage of buying a loose gemstone is choice.  You are free to pick the exact color, cut, shape and variety of the stone for the setting of your dreams, be it yellow gold, white gold, platinum or silver; prong set or bezel set with diamond accents.  You can experience the joy of creating your very own, one-of-a-kind jewelry design. Choose from a variety of jewelry settings and styles to create a completely original presentation that will perfectly suit your individual gemstone and will be as unique as you are!

                         

We have become one of the world's leading precious and semi-precious loose Apatite dealers with one of the most extensive selections of fine Apatite.  At AJS Gems, you will find a large collection of Fine Quality Wholesale cut loose Apatite gemstones to help add beauty, fun and maybe a little extra love to your life.

 

 

 

Origin	Madagascar, Colombia, Durango, Mexico; Bancroft, Ontario; Germany, Austria, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nauru, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel,  the U.S. and Russia.
Color	Most often green but also yellow, blue, reddish brown and purple.
Refractive Index	1.63- 1.64
Chemical Composition	Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)
Hardness	5
Density	3.2
Crystal Structure	Hexagonal
Zodiac Sign	Gemini

Apatite is actually not a single mineral, but a phosphate mineral group consisting of Chlorapatite, Fluorapatite, and Hydroxylapatite. Each individual mineral has a certain level of chlorine, fluorine, or hydroxy in varying amounts and combinations. Apatite displays strong fluorescence under short wave ultra-violet light.

Apatite has a refractive index of 1.63 to 1.64 and a vitreous surface luster.  The refractive index (RI), measured using a refractometer, is an indication of the amount light rays are bent by a mineral.  Birefringence is the difference between the minimum and maximum RI. When birefringence is high, light rays reflect off different parts of the back of a stone causing an apparent doubling of the back facets when viewed through the front facet. 

Most gems have a crystalline structure. Crystals have planes of symmetry and are divided into seven symmetry systems. The number of axes, their length, and their angle to each other determine the system to which a crystal belongs.  Apatite crystalizes in the hexagonal crystal system, and has a hexagonal prism or hexagonal pyramid crystal habit with pinacoid terminations. Also accicular, granular, reniform and massive. A cryptocrystalline variety is called collophane and can make up a rock type called phosphorite and also can replace fossil fragments. 

Color

Apatite is found in colors ranging from colorless to pink, yellow, blue to violet.  Brazillian Apatite are a medium dark to dark, strongly saturated blue color.  Recent finds of what is now widely referred to as "neon" Apatite in Madagasgar have added to the popularity of this gem. The neon is a green blue stone with good saturation, often approaching fine Paraiba Tourmaline in terms of color.  Dark yellowish-green varieties are sometimes referred to as "asparagus stone".

Cut

 Treatments

Apatite gemstones do not normally require treatment. Those that do however are usually heat treated to improve the stone's color and appearance.

Apatite enhances the wearers learning abilities, self-confidence and creativity. In addition to this, Apatite is an aid to achieving a deeper state of meditation and to increasing insightfulness.

Apatite eases hypertension and decreases hunger, or “appetite”.  Also, Apatite is said to be a good gemstone for unblocking any of the chakras.

Apatite is believed to clear confusion in the mental stratas.