Apatite Vs. Aquamarine

Apatite is a popular mineral group composed of a group of phosphates.^[1] Aquamarine is a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is beryllium aluminum silicate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Apatite and Aquamarine

For a quick recap of the differences apatite and aquamarine:

• While both apatite and aquamarine can be translucent or transparent, aquamarine can be opaque.
• For chemical formulas, apatite can be Ca5(PO4)3(F, Cl or OH) while aquamarine is Be3Al2Si6O18.
• Apatite streaks white while aquamarine streaks colorless.
• Apatite can be commonly red while aquamarine can be commonly blue or green.
• Apatite's rarity is less rare than aquamarine.
• Apatite's hardness is lower than aquamarine - apatite is 5 and aquamarine ranges from 7.5 to 8 on the Moh's scale.
  • Apatite can be scratched by glass (5.5) or quartz (7) while aquamarine can not be.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Apatite and Aquamarine

The similarities of apatite and aquamarine include:

• In terms of crystallography, apatite and aquamarine both are hexagonal.
• In terms of luster, apatite and aquamarine both are vitreous.

Summary of Apatite

Apatite is a mineral that is commonly found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is made up of calcium phosphate, which is the same mineral that makes up our teeth and bones. Apatite can be identified by its green, blue, or yellow color, and its hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. It can also be identified by its crystal structure, which is hexagonal.

Summary of Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a blue-green variety of the mineral beryl. It is a popular gemstone because of its beautiful color and clarity. The name aquamarine comes from the Latin words aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning sea. This is because the color of aquamarine is similar to the color of the ocean.

Table Comparison of Apatite vs Aquamarine