Goiás Neon Apatite are rare, beautiful, blue gemstones from the Brazilian state of Goiás (pronounced ‘goy-ice’). While Apatite is a hugely popular gemstone that comes in almost every shade of blue, the bright, electric neon blues of Goiás Neon Apatite are especially coveted.
Hardness 5
Refractive Index 1.628 – 1.649
Relative Density 3.16 – 3.23
Enhancement Heat
Beauty
In gemstones, color is the most important consideration, representing 50 percent of a gems’ value. Blue gems with bright, electric colors and an attractive brilliance are especially coveted.
Visually similar to the famed Paraíba Tourmaline, Goiás Neon Apatite displays vivid, electric neon blues. Usually only found as small crystals, Goiás Neon Apatite is challenging for the lapidary due to polishing difficulties and inherent inclusions whose positioning impacts both beauty and value. The degree of polish can vary due to the skill of the lapidary, giving our expertly faceted, well-polished Goiás Neon Apatite a premium quality.
One of the world’s most beautiful gemstones, Goiás Neon Apatite’s vivid blues suits all complexions.
A gemological chameleon, Apatite’s name comes from the Greek ‘apatao’ (to deceive) due to a historical confusion with other gemstones. Apatite’s propensity for deception even has its roots in Greek mythology. One of the spirits released from Pandora’s Box, Apate is the goddess of deceit, fraud and trickery. While its name is really about how Apatite can fool you, it does sound a bit like ‘appetite’ and there actually is a ‘hunger’ connection; a calcium phosphate, Apatite crystals are one of the components of teeth and bones in all vertebrate animals.
Rarity
Typically colored by rare earth elements, Apatite is a gorgeous gem that occurs in blue, brown, gray, green, pink, purple, teal, violet, white, and yellow. Apatite is actually several different minerals depending on whether chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl or strontium replaces the calcium.
An abundant mineral found in many countries, gem-quality Apatite is very rare and plagued by sporadic production.
Goiás Neon Apatite comes from the Posse Mine (Portuguese: Mina de ouro da Posse) in the Mara Rosa District of the Brazilian state of Goiás, which is located in the Center-West region of the country. The name Goiás (formerly Goyaz) comes from the name of an indigenous community. Interestingly, aside from gemstones, the deposit also yields gold.
The geological scarcity of Goiás Neon Apatite’s top electric blues are accentuated by faceting difficulties.
Durability & Care
A popular jewelry gemstone (Mohs’ Hardness: 5), Goiás Neon Apatite should always be stored carefully to avoid scuffs and scratches. Clean with gentle soap and lukewarm water, scrubbing behind the gem with a very soft toothbrush as necessary. After cleaning, pat dry with a soft towel or chamois cloth.
Map Location
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