Fluorapatito Carbonato-Fluorapatito
Fluorapatito is a mineral with formula Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,CO₃), in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Elvira de Mines Rocabruna, Bruguers-Gavà, Barcelona, Catalunya, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Creamy white fluorapatite in globular forms on ochre-yellow matrix.
About Fluorapatito
Our teeth and this mineral meet. In dentition, apatite occurs as a carbonated biological form rich in calcium and phosphate. Though not identical, it shares the same mineral architecture. Fluoride from toothpaste or fluoridated water promotes conversion of the outermost enamel to a fluorapatite closely comparable to this species. This does not turn the whole tooth into another mineral, but it strengthens the surface and makes it more resistant to acid attack. The same crystal family seen in this specimen thus participates—at microscopic scale—in the protection of our dentition.
About the locality
Elvira Mine is an iron concession that bore different names, but locals have long referred to it as the Rocabruna mines for the brown colour of the rocks.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0246
- Composition
- Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,CO₃)
- Name
- Fluorapatito
- Variety
- Carbonato-Fluorapatito
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Lucimera
- Matrix
- Calcioferrita
- Mine
- Mina Elvira de Mines Rocabruna
- District / Municipality
- Bruguers-Gavà
- Province
- Barcelona
- Region
- Catalunya
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 8 x 5 x 3.5
- Weight
- 72 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- “Apatite” derives from the Greek «apatein», “to deceive”, because it is easily mistaken for other minerals; “fluor-” marks the fluorine-dominant member. The prefix “carbonate-” indicates partial substitution by carbonate groups.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España