Where to find apatite?

There are not many cities in the world that are located behind Polar circle. Apatity is one of them. In terms of the number of polar inhabitants, it ranks honorably fifth. The city is picturesquely spread out on the banks Belaya River. It’s between Khibiny mountains и Lake Imandra. In the Murmansk region it ranks second in size, second only to Murmansk.

Between Imandra and Khibiny

Apatity is the center of an urban district in the Murmansk region. The district also includes a railway station Hibiny and the nearby village of Tik-Guba, which was founded by special settlers in 1924. The first airfield on the peninsula was built in this place. There was also a hydroairfield, where the water surface of Lake Imandra was used for landing aircraft. Passes through Apatity railway leading to Murmansk. The mineral apatite, after which the city of Apatity is named The city lies on a flat plain, so the highest point is Sparrow Mountain, the height of which does not exceed 80 m. Small forests adjoin the city on three sides. The nearest city is considered Kirovsk, which is only 12 km away. From Murmansk to Apatity – 157 km. The cities are connected not only by the railway, but also by the federal highway R-21 “Kola”. On the one hand, the city is closed by the Khibiny Mountains, and on the other, on the contrary, it opens to all winds Lake Imandra. There is no doubt that such a disposition creates the preconditions for a special microclimate. Winter here lasts 5–7 months, but is mild. The average temperature in the winter months hovers around -13 °C. For an area belonging to the Far North, this is not much. The average summer temperature is +14 °C. Polar day lasts from May 20 to July 27, and polar night – from December 15 to December 28.

White crossing

The North has always attracted with its riches, the development of which required transport routes. First, trails appear, followed by roads, and only then comes the turn of railroads. For the construction of the railway from Petrozavodsk to Murmansk it took a year and a half. The grandiose construction was completed in 1916. A hundred years ago, geologists discovered the largest deposits of nepheline ores At this time, there was no trace of Apatity yet. Only on one of the stages near Lake Imandra did a crossing called White. The name was given according to the local Belaya River. This is now a railway station “Apatity-1”. The settlement of Apatity appeared on maps only ten years later, when geologists discovered the largest deposits nepheline ores. In 1926, only seven people lived in the village! For comparison, now in the city there are 55 inhabitants. It so happened that during the war Kola Peninsula found himself cut off from the big world. Residents of the Arctic were trapped and were forced to produce everything they needed for life themselves. Apatity then included the large state farm “Industry”. Thanks to him, the city has become one of the main suppliers of food for the Arctic. Vegetables were grown not only on state farm fields, but also in their own gardens. Apatity is connected to the “mainland” by the federal highway “Kola” In the 50s, they decided to turn the village into a city. At that time, in addition to the state farm, there was a processing plant here. The population was growing. The first multi-storey building was built in 1956. Then they began to grow like mushrooms. Scientists moved here from Kola branch of the Academy of Sciences. Apatity became a city in 1966. In the 90s, the expansion of the city stopped, life was barely glimmering. The situation has changed only in the last decade.

Let’s have fun in the northern way

Tourists are attracted to these places, first of all, by Imandra and Khibiny. Apatity, thanks to its developed transport infrastructure, is transshipment base for skiers and alpine skiers, lovers of rafting and hiking, as well as fishermen. They catch in the lake 14 types of fish, belonging to the category of commercial ones. In winter, kite races are held on its icy surface. The immediate surroundings of the city are characterized by an industrial landscape People come to these places to see with their own eyes such a rare colorful phenomenon as the northern lights. In the suburb of Tik-Guba on the shore Imandra There is a camp site and a beach. In the vicinity of the city there is a botanical monument “Cedars and larches of the Khibiny”. Of interest to tourists Yokostrovskoe inn. Expedition tours are organized to the legendary Sami churchyard. Rock gardens are found not only in Japan The residents of Apatit also decided to acquire such a landmark, setting up a Geological rock garden. Samples of rocks and minerals that are represented in this region of the country are exhibited in the open air. The exhibits are provided with explanatory signs. Dedicated to the same topic Geological Museum. There is an exhibition here telling about the drilling of the Kola superdeep well. The exhibition “Decorative and facing stones of the Kola Peninsula” is of great interest. There is also a Museum of the History of Development Russian North, where there are 7 expositions. Everything is here – and archeology, and the life of the Sami, and features of the Kola Pomerania. The city has three active churches — Holy Dormition, Russian new martyrs and confessors, as well as the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. The mineral apatite is certainly represented in all museum collections Local History Museum located in the local building Palace of Culture. Of interest here are permanent exhibitions dedicated to mysteries. Seydozera, Kola minerals and northern folk crafts. The House of Culture annually hosts sports ballroom dancing competitions, which are romantically called “Polar Ball”. Among the interesting events, it is also worth noting the exhibition “Stone Flower”. Here you can buy not only beautiful stone products, but also rare collectibles. For lovers of active recreation, Apatity offers rafting on mountain rivers and lakes on catamarans and rafts, bike tours, city tours. In winter, snowmobile safaris, mountain snowshoe treks and alpine skiing are of interest. The winter highlight is hiking Hibiny with an overnight stay in a traditional Sami snow shelter. With the arrival of winter, a Ice sculpture gallery. Husky ride In the active amusement park “Khibinium” they offer rides on dog sledding, acts rope park and shooting range, where you can shoot with a crossbow and bow. There is a contact Pegasus Zoowhere they give riding lessons. You can also ride horses at local equestrian clubs. And at the recreation center “Ogni Imandra” there is ethnographic village of the peoples of the Far North. Sami sleigh rides, feeding reindeer, drinking tea in the tent near the fireplace – it’s all here.

Getting there

The Khibiny airport is located near Apatity. Airplanes from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Cherepovets arrive here daily. A railway passes through Apatity, along which trains run between Moscow, St. Petersburg and Murmansk. Near the city there is the P-21 “Kola” highway, connecting St. Petersburg with Murmansk. Apatite – “deceiver stone.” It was named so because it can easily be confused with other minerals – beryl, diopside, tourmaline. For example, it can be distinguished from beryl only by its hardness – apatite has less hardness.
In terms of its chemical composition, apatite is calcium phosphate, with wide variations of impurities: manganese, iron, aluminum and other elements. Due to the abundance of impurities, apatite comes in a variety of colors – dark brown, white, red and green, yellow, blue. Just like its color, apatite comes in a variety of forms: it grows in the form of crystals, needles, and is often found in the form of granular and radial masses. Apatite is one of four minerals found in the human body; it is part of deposits on the walls of blood vessels. The world’s largest apatite deposit is located in Russia, on the Kola Peninsula. Apatite is also mined in Brazil, Mexico, USA, South Africa, Europe, and Canada. Very unusual apatites are mined in Sri Lanka and Burma – apatites with a cat’s eye effect. The largest apatite crystals were found in Canada, measuring about 2 meters long. However, the main value for jewelry is small crystals of apatite. They are distinguished by such brilliance and transparency that they are in no way inferior to more noble minerals.
Though

apatite stone

and looks like beryl, it is much softer, so jewelers use it in products of medium size and not subject to strong mechanical stress – pendants, earrings, necklaces.
In our store you can buy cabochons made of apatite, grown in the form of a granular mass. Diopside and phlogopite inclusions look very beautiful in apatites: metal flakes scattered on the icy surface, sprouted dark crystalline rays.

Properties of apatite

An apatite amulet is an amulet that connects its owner with home and family. It helps in resolving conflicts in the family, especially conflicts that arise between generations, and generally contributes to family unification. It can be taken with you by those who are often away from home for a long time to maintain a sense of community. In a broader sense, apatite provides a person with a safe space for growth or assimilation of existing experience, for relaxation. The effects of apatite vary slightly depending on the color. Blues best promote relaxation from worries, yellows have a slight motivating effect, and whites and blacks are like father and mother in the family, the former organize space, calm, lull, the latter bring discipline and protection. Apatite gets its name from the Greek word for “cheat”. That title the gemstone earned from its possibilities for confusion with amblygonite, andalusite, brazilianite, precious beryl, sphene, topaz or tourmaline. For example, it can be distinguished from Beryl only by its hardness – apatite is less hard. By its chemical composition Apatite is calcium phosphate, with wide variations of possible admixtures: it can be manganese, iron, aluminum, etc. The colors of apatite vary due to these inclusions – it can be dark brown, white, red, green, yellow or blue. The forms of apatite are as diverse as its colors: it can form tabular, prismatic crystals, massive, compact or granular. Apatite is one of four minerals found in the human body as it is a part of the deposits found on the vascular walls. The world’s largest deposit of apatite is in Russia on the Kola Peninsula. Other sources include Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, the United States, Europe and Canada. In Sri Lanka and Burma the chatoyant stones are found which are known as cat’s eye apatite. The largest crystals of apatite were found in Canada, their length was about 2 meters. However, the small crystals of apatite are the most valuable ones for the jewelry-makers. They are so transparent and vibrant in color that often equal more precious gemstones. The weak point of apatite gems is their hardness – therefore, they are difficult to cut and shock-sensitive. We advice to handle apatite gems with precautions and to use them in jewelry which is limited to occasional wear pieces Thus, such as pendants, earrings and necklaces. On this site the cabochons of apatite, grew up in a grainy masses are available. The diopside and phlogopite inclusions in them are flake-like.
Apatite is often used in amulets. Such an amulet strengthens the connection of its owner with home and family. It assists in resolving conflicts within the family; especially the ones caused by generation gap, and also apatite brings the family together. Also apatite aids communication and self-expression on all levels and dissolves alienation. Blue apatite develops psychic abilities and spiritual attunement and helps to get rid of negativity. Yellow apatite increases motivation. White apatite clears confusion and frustration and reduces irritability. Black apatite activates self-discipline and helps to overcome a lack of concentration.