Fluorapatito Carbonatado
Fluorapatito is a mineral with formula Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,CO₃), in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Cantera Asland, Montcada i Reixac, Barcelona, Catalunya, España.
Description
White fluorapatite in globular forms coating a brown, earthy calcioferrite plate. Reacts under UV light.
About Fluorapatito
Human bones and teeth are formed by carbonated apatite Ca₅(PO₄,CO₃)₃(OH), chemically very close to this carbonate-fluorapatite Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,CO₃). In dental enamel hydroxyapatite predominates: when fluoride comes into contact with teeth it substitutes the OH⁻ in the structure and forms fluorapatite, a structure more resistant to acid attack. That is why the fluoride in toothpaste literally reinforces the enamel crystals. Recent studies indicate that all apatites analysed at the locality—both hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite—are in fact carbonate-rich varieties, but are indistinguishable to the naked eye.
About the locality
Limestone quarry worked from 1917 to supply rock to the cement works of the ASLAND company (Compañía General de Asfaltos y Portland). Activity continued until 2009; today it is inactive and forms part of the natural area of the Charco de Levante (Toll de Llevant).
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0621
- Composition
- Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,CO₃)
- Name
- Fluorapatito
- Variety
- Carbonatado
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Lucimera
- Matrix
- Calcioferrita
- Mine
- Cantera Asland
- District / Municipality
- Montcada i Reixac
- Province
- Barcelona
- Region
- Catalunya
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 10 x 7 x 1
- Weight
- 76.3 g
- Ex-collection
- Aleydis Soliveres
- Etymology
- The term "apatite" derives from the Greek "apatein", meaning "to deceive", for its resemblance to other minerals. It was named in 1786 by Abraham Gottlob Werner.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España