Comparison · Minerals
Apatite vs Apophyllite
Apatite and Apophyllite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Apatite and Apophyllite
- Both sit near Mohs 5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Apatite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.1–3.2 versus 2.3–2.4 for Apophyllite).
- They overlap in green, yellow, and clear, but Apatite also comes in blue, purple, and brown and Apophyllite also comes in pink.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Apatite is Hexagonal, Apophyllite is Tetragonal.
Apatite vs Apophyllite properties
| Property | Apatite | Apophyllite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5 | 4.5–5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to subresinous | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.1–3.2 | 2.3–2.4 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Tetragonal |
| Common colors | Green, Blue, Yellow, Violet, Colorless, Brown | Colorless, White, Green, Pink, Pale yellow |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Apatite and Apophyllite trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Apatite
Apatite is the collective name for a group of calcium phosphate minerals, chiefly hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite, and chlorapatite, sharing the general formula Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH). It is the mineral that defines hardness 5 on the Mohs scale and forms the mineral component of bones and teeth in vertebrates. Gem-quality crystals range from pale green and blue to vivid neon blue-green varieties prized by collectors.
About Apophyllite
Apophyllite is the common name for a small group of hydrated potassium calcium silicates, most often KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)·8H2O, crystallizing in the tetragonal system. It typically grows as glassy, pseudo-cubic or pyramidal crystals lining cavities in basaltic lava. The name comes from the Greek for 'to leaf away,' describing how the mineral flakes when heated, losing its water of crystallization.
Apatite vs Apophyllite FAQ
Is Apatite the same as Apophyllite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Apatite from Apophyllite?
Both sit near Mohs 5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Apatite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.1–3.2 versus 2.3–2.4 for Apophyllite). They overlap in green, yellow, and clear, but Apatite also comes in blue, purple, and brown and Apophyllite also comes in pink.
Which is harder, Apatite or Apophyllite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5.
Which is more valuable, Apatite or Apophyllite?
Typical specimens of Apatite and Apophyllite trade in a similar range, around $20.
