Madagascar Apatite Gemstone
You turn the rough, bluish-green stone through your fingers. It glitters prettily in the light. Is it a piece of sea glass? No, it’s a genuine apatite stone! Often confused for other jewels, learn how to identify apatite and tell it apart from similar gems, such as tourmaline, peridot, and beryl.
Madagascar Apatite Stone
While commonly mined in its mineral form, you might be wondering how rare apatite is as a gemstone? Despite its stunning appearance, apatite is still rarely seen in gemstone jewelry. Apatite is famous among lapidary circles for being tough to work with, meaning that for many years most specimens were collector’s stones.
Our gem-cutters have been working this material since the early days of the Madagascar apatite boom. During this time, they’ve perfected shaping this troublesome mineral into many popular shapes. Gem collectors and jewelry connoisseurs alike will delight in adding Madagascar apatite jewelry to their collections.
Despite not being well-known, apatite is the defining mineral on the Mohs scale of hardness for rank five. It’s a stone that requires care to shape, but also care to enjoy.
Determining Madagascar Apatite Value
Is apatite valuable? The value of colored stones is typically determined by a combination of its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. This is no different when determining what apatite is worth. These guidelines will help you choose apatite stones for your collection.
- Madagascar Apatite Color
Apatite occurs in a wide range of colors, leading to the stone’s reputation for confusion. Specimens from Madagascar favor a narrow variety of colors on the market.
Madagascar apatite occurs in a breathtaking range of blue, green, and yellow hues that encapsulate the natural charm of this island country. Between these shades, you’ll find many variations, with several scarce types that only make up a small percentage of the stone’s potential.
When choosing apatite, the stone’s color is most important. Apatite favors a deep saturation of color, creating very vivid stones. Some, such as Paraiba Apatite, are highly sought after and command a higher price in today’s market.
- Madagascar Apatite Clarity
As a Type II gemstone, you can expect to see inclusions in Madagascar apatite. Type II stones are expected to contain inclusions. Eye-clean stones are rare and more valuable. Deeply saturated color often masks these characteristics, making them difficult to spot without a loupe or other source of magnification. After polishing, Madagascar takes on an appealing vitreous luster and glossy shine.
- Madagascar Apatite Cut
While apatite is known to be fragile, skilled lapidaries can shape the stone. For many years, cutters avoided apatite, as the material is prone to breaking. Since the Madagascar apatite boom, Shop LC gem cutters have been honing their craft with this stone. Expect to find Madagascar Apatite in the shapes you love, carefully hand-cut to perfection.
- Madagascar Apatite Carat Weight
While larger museum and collector pieces exist, much of the stones found in Madagascar Apatite jewelry is under one carat.
Madagascar Apatite Treatment
Often, novice or amateur collectors might ask if apatite is real. What’s really being asked is if Madagascar apatite is treated. Apatite is a natural gemstone that sometimes undergoes heat treatment. Heating these stones improves the existing color. It’s a common treatment frequently seen within the colored stone industry.
Who Can Wear Madagascar Apatite?
With its hues of greens, blues, and even yellows, Madagascar Apatite is a stone with many fans. Greens and blues are popular options to wear all year, while yellow makes a compelling case for inclusion in spring and summer wardrobes. One of its best benefits are the versatile nuances of color between color tones. Even the pickiest fashionista will enjoy choosing their favorite from the varieties available at Shop LC.
Though rarely seen in gemstone jewelry, Madagascar apatite is an affordable gemstone! Choosing apatite jewelry is a great way to enjoy an intense and vibrantly colored gemstone for your personal collection. With its low cost, you’ll be able to add every color you love!
How Does Madagascar Apatite Compare to Other Apatite Stones?
When you compare Madagascar Apatite to other apatite stones, the main difference you’ll see is color. Gem-quality apatite is always intensely saturated, but Madagascar Apatite primarily exists in a spectrum between yellow, green, and blue. Other colors of apatite exist, buy you aren’t likely to find them in this material.
Some varieties of apatite are known to display chatoyancy. Also known as cat’s eye, Madagascar Apatite typically doesn’t display this intriguing phenomenon. In fact, it’s a rare quality to see in any gemstone, and specimens often command a high price when it’s found.
Where Does Madagascar Apatite Come From?
If you’re still asking “where does Madagascar Apatite come from,” then wonder no longer. Shop LC sources this apatite variety from the island country of Madagascar. Situated off of Africa's southeastern coast, Madagascar is an important supplier of raw mineral materials.
How is Madagascar Apatite Mined?
A variety of methods are used in mining apatite. Large-scale mining operations use machinery for extracting the stone from large open pits. On the other side of things, artisanal miners employ hand tools when digging the stone from the ground.
Madagascar Apatite Properties
What Does Madagascar Apatite Mean?
Many gem therapists view apatite as a stone that’s useful in connecting our past and future. In these circles, it’s believed apatite clarifies confusing situations, paving the way for enlightenment and self-expression. In particular, blue apatite is valued for its stimulation of the mind, enhancing intellectual pursuits.
Others suggest that apatite is useful for strengthening bones and repairing damage to cartilage and joints. They purport that apatite gems aid the body in the absorption of calcium.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. These remedies, approaches, and techniques are not a substitute for professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat any ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
Is Madagascar Apatite a Birthstone?
Madagascar Apatite is not recognized as a modern birthstone. Its rarity in gemstone jewelry has kept apatite primarily as a collector’s gemstone.
Madagascar Apatite Facts
- Madagascar Apatite ranks five on the Mohs scale of hardness and is the defining mineral for this rank.
- Discover green apatite jewelry at Shop LC, including many amazing hues in-between.
- Madagascar Apatite occurs in several locations throughout Madagascar, an island country off the eastern coast of Africa.
- Some varieties of Madagascar Apatite undergo heat treatment to create or improve color.
- How to Clean Madagascar Apatite