Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
A variety of Fluorapatite
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About Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Formula:
Ca5(PO4,CO3)3(F,O)
Colour:
White, pale gray, creamy white; frequently stained yellow, brown, red, or black by iron oxides and other minerals
Lustre:
Resinous, Waxy, Greasy, Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.7
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1906 by Peter Nikolaevich Chirvinsky [Carbapatit] or in 1916 by Reinhard Brauns [Carbonatapatit] from the Greek word meaning "to deceive" and the CARBONATE- prefix in allusion to the presence of some carbonate substitution for phosphate. Many early synonyms exist for this mineral including pseudoapatite, francolite, collophane, dahllite, carbapatite, podolite, quercylite, kurskite, grodnolite, etc., but not all of these names represent homogeneous materials nor are strictly applied to fluorine-dominant compositions.
A variety of fluorapatite with carbonate group (CO3) substituting for some of the phosphate (PO4) groups.
Compare also collophane.
Is the dominant constituent of phosphorite.
Compare also collophane.
Is the dominant constituent of phosphorite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
895 (as Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite)
1572 (as Fluorapatite)
1572 (as Fluorapatite)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:895:6 (as Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite)
mindat:1:1:1572:7 (as Fluorapatite)
mindat:1:1:1572:7 (as Fluorapatite)
IMA Classification of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Discredited
Classification of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
41.8.1.4
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : A5(XO4)3Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : A5(XO4)3Zq
22.4.4
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
4 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with carbonate
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
4 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with carbonate
Physical Properties of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Resinous, Waxy, Greasy, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
White, pale gray, creamy white; frequently stained yellow, brown, red, or black by iron oxides and other minerals
Streak:
White, when unstained
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{0001}, {1010}
{0001}, {1010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.7 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
earthy varieties have a lower density
Optical Data of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.6785 nε = 1.6155
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.063
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 ยตm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 ยตm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5(PO4,CO3)3(F,O)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.34 Å, c = 6.88 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.737
Unit Cell V:
519.77 ร
ยณ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Found in sedimentary phosphate beds, frequently in hard nodules; uncommon accessory mineral in late-stage mineralization in granite pegmatites, rarely found in polymetallic ore veins.
Synonyms of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Other Language Names for Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
German:Dehrnit
Simplified Chinese:็ขณๆฐ็ฃท็ฐ็ณ
็ขณ้ ธๆฐ็ฃท็ฐ็ณ
็ขณ้ ธๆฐ็ฃท็ฐ็ณ
Spanish:Dehrnita
Traditional Chinese:็ขณๆฐ็ฃท็ฐ็ณ
็ขณ้ ธๆฐ็ฃท็ฐ็ณ
็ขณ้ ธๆฐ็ฃท็ฐ็ณ
Varieties of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
| Soda-Dehrnite | A Na-bearing variety of 'Dehrnite' (= carbonate fluorapatite). |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 166 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with 'Opal-AN' | SiO2 ยท nH2O |
| 57 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 33 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 13 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 7 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 ยท 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 6 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with 'Rose Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Wardite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 ยท 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Calcioferrite | Ca4MgFe3+4(PO4)6(OH)4 ยท 12H2O |
| 5 photos of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite associated with Wavellite | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 ยท 5H2O |
Fluorescence of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Not usually fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl or in HNO3. Varieties containing CO3 may dissolve with slight effervescence.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Ore of phosphorus
Internet Links for Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-895.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S., Shannon, Earl V. (1930) The minerals of the phosphate nodules from near Fairfield, Utah. American Mineralogist, 15 (8) 307-337 (as dehrnite on pp. 303 and 324, as lewistonite on p. 326).
McConnell, Duncan (1938) A structural investigation of the isomorphism of the apatite group. American Mineralogist, 23 (1) 1-19 (as Dehrnite, Lewistonite)
Larsen, Esper S., 3d, (1942) The mineralogy and paragenesis of the variscite nodules from near Fairfield, Utah, Part 1. American Mineralogist, 27 (4) 281-300 (P. 297; p. 364, as Dehrnite)
Dunn, Pete J. (1978) Dehrnite and lewistonite: discredited. Mineralogical Magazine, 42 (322) 282-284 doi:10.1180/minmag.1978.042.322.23
Localities for Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite
Showing 359 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
โ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Zalba et al. (2011) |
| OYARZABAL et al. (H2O) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Varentsov et al. (2009, April) | |
| Hein et al. (2016) | |
Australia | |
| Birch (1999) |
| |
| |
| Francis et al. (self published) |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| |
| Birch et al. (1993) |
| Birch et al. (1993) |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Meixner (1965) |
| R. Stroh: Der Karinthin 69:45-51 (1973) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference |
| Kontrus (1949) +1 other reference | |
| Exel (1993) | |
| R. Stroh: Der Karinthin 81:136-139 (1979) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference | |
| |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) +1 other reference |
| Strasser (1989) +1 other reference |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) +1 other reference |
| Strasser (1989) +1 other reference |
| dan weinrich |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) | |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Exel (1993) | |
| Exel (1993) |
| Exel (1993) |
Bolivia | |
| Woolley (1987) |
Brazil | |
| King (n.d.) |
| Orris et al. (2002) | |
| Murdoch (1955) |
| Walter et al. (1995) |
Burundi | |
| www.portergeo.com.au (2017) |
Cambodia | |
| United Nations (1993) |
Canada | |
| ฤernรก et al. (2002) |
| ฤernรฝ et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Horváth et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Horvรกth et al. (1998) |
| Horvรกth et al. (1998) | |
| 150-152. +1 other reference |
| Gadd et al. (2016) |
China | |
| Ruifu He and Hongwu Tan (1981) |
| Jie Zhang et al. (2004) +3 other references |
| Chaodong Wu et al. (1999) |
| Yang et al. (2000) |
| Baogui Zhang et al. (1990) |
| Chaodong Wu et al. (1999) |
| Dongchu Tang (1999) |
| Wen Zhijian et al. (1999) |
| Liu et al. (2026) |
| Liu et al. (2026) | |
| Hein et al. (1999) |
| Xueduo Cao et al. (1985) |
| Mei et al. (2025) |
| Mei et al. (2025) | |
| Shousong Wang and Qiying Chen (1985) |
| Nansheng Chen (1996) |
Czech Republic | |
| |
| Hlouลกek et al. (2002) |
| various added photos |
| Hybler et al. (2021) |
Egypt | |
| El Sankary (2019) |
| USGS Open-File Report 02โ156โA |
Finland | |
| Vartiainen (1980) |
France | |
| G. Demarcq |
| G. Demarcq |
| Pรฉrinet (n.d.) |
| |
Germany | |
| Fehr et al. (1985) |
| Weiร (1990) |
| Roger Lang collection |
| Weiร (1990) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Beck (2002) |
| G.R. Osinski et al. | |
| Weiร (1990) |
Greece | |
| NHM Vienna collection (SEM-EDS-analysed by Uwe Kolitsch) +1 other reference |
Greenland | |
| Petersen (2001) |
| Pekov et al. (2002) |
India | |
| Banerjee |
| Banerjee | |
| Banerjee | |
| Banerjee |
| Banerjee | |
| Banerjee |
| S. C. Tripathi (1985) |
Iraq | |
| Al-Bassam (1990) +2 other references |
Israel | |
| Weiner et al. (1993) |
| Shahar et al. (1989) |
| Tonsuaadu et al. (2000) |
Italy | |
| Adorni et al. (2010) |
| Adorni et al. (2010) |
| Adorni et al. (2010) |
| Adorni et al. (2010) |
| 50 +1 other reference |
Jordan | |
| Pitty et al. (2010) |
| Fleurance et al. (2013) |
| Khoury et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| ANNUAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND ... |
| Al-Slaty et al. (2025) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov (1998) |
Kenya | |
| |
Kiribati | |
| Zhou et al. (2023) | |
Mexico | |
| L. Zรผrcher and D.A. Kring |
Middle East | |
| Gross (1977) | |
Namibia | |
| Baturin et al. (2003) | |
Nauru | |
Niger | |
| 338pp. +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Selbekk (1991) |
| Larsen et al. (2005) |
| Witsรธ (1995) |
| Witsรธ (1995) | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) |
| Larsen et al. (2010) | |
| Larsen et al. (2010) | |
| Nordrum (2010) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Railton et al. (1990) +1 other reference | |
| Sun et al. (2026) |
| Hein et al. (2010) |
| Hein et al. (2010) | |
| Hein et al. (2010) | |
Poland | |
| KGHM Polska Miedลบ |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2015) |
Russia | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Mordberg (1999) |
| Afanas'ev +2 other references |
| USGS Professional Paper 1765 +13 other references |
| Seltmann et al. (2010) |
| Pekin et al. (2010) +1 other reference | |
| Pekin et al. (2010) +1 other reference | |
| Arzamastsev et al. (2008) |
| Downes et al. (2005) +2 other references |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 +4 other references | |
| Ferraris et al. (2001) |
| Lapis 29 (1) | |
| Pekov (2003) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Pekov (2000) | |
| [AmMin 85:1562] +1 other reference | |
| [World of Stones 12:49] | |
| Econ Geol (1995) +1 other reference |
| Lazareva et al. (2015) | |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Saudi Geological Survey |
Senegal | |
| www.uoguelph.ca (2003) |
| www.uoguelph.ca (2003) |
| Hรผhne (2009) |
Slovakia | |
| Kodฤra (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Econ Geol (1989) |
| Econ Geol (1989) |
| Coetzee (1976) |
Spain | |
| Marino et al. (2019) |
| Bareche (2005) |
| Bareche (2005) |
| Bareche (2005) |
| Rosell et al. (2006) |
| Eduardo J. Matilla collection |
Sri Lanka | |
| origin.island.lk (n.d.) +5 other references |
Sweden | |
| Nystrรถm et al. (1991) |
| |
Syria | |
| Abbas et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
Tanzania | |
| Journal of African Earth Sciences |
Tunisia | |
| Boujlel et al. (2019) |
| F. Souissi et al. +1 other reference |
Uganda | |
| USGS Open-File Report 02โ156โA +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) +2 other references |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) +1 other reference | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) +1 other reference | |
| Barstow et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Peter Trebilcock |
| |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| M. J. Spencer Collection. ... |
| Day (1999) |
| Collection Richard De Nul |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Collection Richard De Nul | |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| G Moffatt collection |
| Haas (n.d.) | |
| collected by M Perry (St Just) | |
| Solly (1879) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) +1 other reference | |
| Richard de Nul collection | |
| Solly (1879) +2 other references |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Bernie Millington Collection | |
| Collection Richard De Nul | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Day (1999) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Collection Richard De Nul |
| Day (1999) |
| Ruffell (1990) |
| Plant et al. (2005) |
| Plant et al. (2005) |
| Plant et al. (2005) |
| Plant et al. (2005) |
| Plant et al. (2005) |
| Plant et al. (2005) |
Ukraine | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Popov S.P. (1938) +1 other reference | |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Witkind (1963) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anderson (1950) +2 other references |
| London et al. (1982) | |
| London et al. (1982) |
| www.koeln.netsurf.de (2001) |
| Troxel et al. (1962) +1 other reference |
| ... +2 other references |
| Kepper et al. (2000) |
| San Diego Natural History Museum | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| C. Lemanski collection (7860CL) |
| Jesse Crawford +1 other reference |
| Altschuler et al. (1956) | |
| Marc V. Hurst (2012) |
| Marc V. Hurst (2012) | |
| E. William Heinrich |
| Mike Viney (2019) |
| King (2000) |
| David Busha collection +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (6) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (6) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| |
| Yale Peabody Museum #5024 | |
| Thompson et al. (1998) | |
| King (n.d.) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Excalibur Mineral Company specimen |
| Newmont Mining Corporation |
| Barrick Gold Corporation | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Wight (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Dr. William S. Wise presentation to ... |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Newmont Mining Corporation | |
| Min News (1999) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Minerals (July-Aug. 2002) |
| Thompson et al. (2022) |
| Meyers et al. (1956) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Yale Peabody Museum |
| Robinson et al. (2007) | |
| Redeker et al. (1978) |
| |
| |
| Krystyniak (2005) |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 67 (6) | |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Don Howard (1999) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Larsen et al. (1942) +1 other reference |
| collected and ID by Ed Over | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Rocks & Min. Vol. 73 (1998) |
| Cordua (1998) | |
| Page et al. (1956) +2 other references |
Venezuela | |
| Urbani (1996) |
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Kovdor Zheleznyi Mine, Kovdor Massif, Kovdorsky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia