Blue apatite gets its name from its distinctive blue-green color. However, some people have concerns about the safety of blue apatite, especially since it contains traces of lead. So is blue apatite actually dangerous to wear or use?
What is Blue Apatite?
Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Apatite crystals can form in a variety of colors, but the bright blue-green variety is known as blue apatite.
Blue apatite is treasured for its unique color and translucency. Unlike many other blue gemstones, blue apatite is affordable and relatively easy to source. Its hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale makes it durable enough for most jewelry. Blue apatite is commonly cut into beads, cabochons, tumbled stones and other ornamental forms.
Trace Amounts of Lead
Like many natural gemstones, blue apatite contains impurities that give it color. In the case of blue apatite, its blue-green tint comes from traces of lead. Lead levels in blue apatite are typically between 130-5000 ppm.
For comparison, many lead-free materials still contain up to 100 ppm of lead. So while blue apatite does contain more lead than a lead-free stone, the levels are still relatively low in most pieces.
Is Blue Apatite Absorbed by the Body?
Gemstones are inorganic, so they do not interact with the human body in the same way that lead paint or leaded gasoline does. Simply having skin contact with lead-containing gems will not cause lead poisoning.
However, there is a small risk if a blue apatite gemstone is worn in the mouth or ingested. Acidic environments like the mouth and stomach can slowly dissolve gems over time. If a blue apatite gem was swallowed or worn in a piercing, trace amounts of lead could potentially leach out. But this risk is low for occasional wear in jewelry or ornaments.
Safety Recommendations
While the lead in blue apatite is unlikely to cause issues for most people, those with high sensitivity may want to take precautions:
- Avoid wearing blue apatite jewelry in piercings, especially new piercings which are more prone to infection.
- Do not let children play with blue apatite jewelry, as they are more vulnerable to lead exposure.
- Wash hands after handling bare blue apatite gems or jewelry to remove any lead dust.
- Use caution when sanding or polishing rough blue apatite, as this can generate lead dust. Work wet and wear a respirator for safety.
So, blue apatite only contains trace levels of lead, so it is not considered a high hazard gemstone. With reasonable care, blue apatite can be worn safely in jewelry and used in ornamental objects by most people. Those at high risk may want to limit prolonged contact against skin as an extra precaution.
