Comparison · Minerals
Apatite vs Hemimorphite
Apatite and Hemimorphite 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 Hemimorphite
- Both sit near Mohs 5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- They overlap in green, blue, yellow, clear, and brown, but Apatite also comes in purple.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Apatite is Hexagonal, Hemimorphite is Orthorhombic.
Apatite vs Hemimorphite properties
| Property | Apatite | Hemimorphite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5 | 4.5–5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to subresinous | Vitreous, silky when fibrous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.1–3.2 | 3.4–3.5 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Green, Blue, Yellow, Violet, Colorless, Brown | White, Colorless, Pale blue, Green, Brown, Yellowish |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Apatite and Hemimorphite 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 Hemimorphite
Hemimorphite is a zinc silicate hydroxide mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic system and named for its hemimorphic crystals, which develop different faces at opposite ends of the same crystal axis. It typically forms in the oxidized zones of zinc ore deposits, often intergrown with or resembling smithsonite, another secondary zinc mineral. Its delicate, fan-shaped crystal clusters and pastel blue to white coloring make it a favorite among collectors of secondary zinc minerals.
Apatite vs Hemimorphite FAQ
Is Apatite the same as Hemimorphite?
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 Hemimorphite?
Both sit near Mohs 5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. They overlap in green, blue, yellow, clear, and brown, but Apatite also comes in purple. Well-formed crystals give it away: Apatite is Hexagonal, Hemimorphite is Orthorhombic.
Which is harder, Apatite or Hemimorphite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5.
Which is more valuable, Apatite or Hemimorphite?
Typical specimens of Apatite and Hemimorphite trade in a similar range, around $20.
