Apatite Visible Spectra (350 - 1100 nm)
The origin of color in apatite, Ca5(PO4)3F, is often associated with the rare earth
elements. Nd is often the most abundant rare earth element in apatite.
Manganese is associated with the deep violet apatites. Many apatites
owe
part of their color to natural radiation induced color centers
involving
ions such as SiO3-
(green) and SO3-
(blue).
Images of representative apatite spectra
Amber-yellow Apatite
These show prominent rare-earth lines in the spectrum
Green and Blue Apatites
Deep Blue Apatites
Pale Lavender Apatites
Pink Apatites
- Pink apatite;
GRR 3013
Maple Lode pegmatite, San Diego County, California, USA. 5.30 mm thick.
Data Files: E⊥c; E\\c
Compare these data to the data
published by Gilinskaya & Mashkovtsev (1995)
- Blue;
from Slyudyanka, Siberia, Russia. Color ascribed to SO3-.
[Link
to
a picture]
- Bottle green;
from Aldan, Russia. Color ascribed to Nd, Pr, Ce plus SiO3-.
- Dark blue;
from Karelia, Russia. Color ascribed to MnO43-.
- Yellowish;
from Lovozero. Color ascribed to Pr, Nd, and a band at 520
nm. from
Lovozero.
- Nearly
colorless from Vishneyve Gory.
Link to a collection
of references to mostly color and visible spectroscopy of
apatites
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revised 5-Jul-2022