Comparison · Minerals
Apatite vs Fluorite
Apatite and Fluorite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Apatite will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Apatite and Fluorite
- Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Apatite will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Apatite is Transparent to translucent, Fluorite is transparent.
- They overlap in green, blue, yellow, purple, and clear, but Apatite also comes in brown and Fluorite also comes in pink.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Apatite is Hexagonal, Fluorite is cubic.
Apatite vs Fluorite properties
| Property | Apatite | Fluorite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5 | 4 |
| Luster | Vitreous to subresinous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 3.1–3.2 | 3.2 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | cubic |
| Common colors | Green, Blue, Yellow, Violet, Colorless, Brown | Purple, Green, Blue, Yellow, Colorless, Pink |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $5–$200+ |
Which is more valuable?
Fluorite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $25 against $20 for Apatite, and premium Fluorite can reach $200 or more.
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 Fluorite
Fluorite is a colorful mineral that often exhibits multiple colors in a single specimen. It's the defining mineral for 4 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Apatite vs Fluorite FAQ
Is Apatite the same as Fluorite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Apatite will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Apatite from Fluorite?
Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Apatite will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Hold a thin edge to the light: Apatite is Transparent to translucent, Fluorite is transparent. They overlap in green, blue, yellow, purple, and clear, but Apatite also comes in brown and Fluorite also comes in pink.
Which is harder, Apatite or Fluorite?
Apatite is harder: Mohs 5 against Mohs 4 for Fluorite.
Which is more valuable, Apatite or Fluorite?
Fluorite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $25 against $20 for Apatite, and premium Fluorite can reach $200 or more.
