APATITE

Use

Apatite is a highly complex hexagonal structured mineral form of calcium phosphate [Ca5(PO4)3.(OH,F,Cl)]2. It is the most common of all phosphate minerals. Depending upon the dominance of fluorine, chlorine or hydroxide, apatite is called fluorapatite, chlorapatite or hydroxyapatite, respectively. Apatite often occurs widely as an accessory mineral with igneous rocks, such as pegmatite. It also occurs in regional and contact metamorphic rock, especially limestone. Large deposits of apatite are found in Russia. Apatite, a major source of phosphorus, is used in the production of fertilizers. Enamel of the teeth is composed chiefly of apatite.