Francolite is a mineral that is made up of calcium, iron, phosphate, and carbonates. It is also known as carbonate-fluorapatite, a name derived from its mineral components. There are a number of synonyms used to refer to francolite, including, apatite, fluoro-apatite, and fluorapatite. Other terms used to describe the mineral include natural hydroxyapatite, collophane, and manganapatite. This mineral is often used in fertilizers, and it is also an important source of rare earth elements. Its unique properties make it valuable in a number of fields, including the production of ceramics, glass, and electronic devices.