FLUORAPATITE, MUSCOVITE, AMAZONITE, CERA DEL MERCADO, DURANGO, MEXICO (cabinet)

Apatite refers to a group of phosphate minerals, primarily including hydroxyapatite, fluorapatite, and chlorapatite, characterized by significant amounts of OH−, F−, and Cl− ions in their crystal structures. The combined formula for these three prevalent endmembers is represented as Ca10(PO4)6(OH,F,Cl)2, while the individual mineral unit cell formulas are Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 for hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6F2 for fluorapatite, and Ca10(PO4)6Cl2 for chlorapatite.

The term "apatite" was introduced by German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1786, although the specific mineral he identified was later reclassified as fluorapatite in 1860 by mineralogist Karl Friedrich August Rammelsberg. Apatite is frequently confused with other minerals, a phenomenon that is reflected in its name, which originates from the Greek word ἀπατάω (apatáō), meaning to deceive.

The crystal is 32.5 mm x 24 mm. It looks the matrix is a pseudomorph of apatite (crystal shape remained).