Fluorapatite
“The most common phosphate mineral”
Fluorapatite is the fluorine-rich end member of the apatite group and the most widespread phosphate mineral on Earth. It's a critical component of bones and teeth (as hydroxyapatite), and in geological settings it serves as a key source of phosphorus for fertilizer and the fluoride used in water treatment.
calcium fluorophosphate (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F)
Cerro de Mercado (Durango, Mexico — giant crystals), Kola Peninsula (Russia), Panasqueira (Portugal), Maine (USA), Sludianka (Russia)
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The Cerro de Mercado mine in Mexico has produced fluorapatite crystals over 20 cm long in stunning purple, green, and blue colors — some of the largest and most beautiful apatite specimens in the world.
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