Variscite

Variscite is a hydrated aluminium phosphate mineral (AlPO4·2H2O). It is a relatively rare phosphate mineral. It is sometimes confused with turquoise; however, variscite is usually greener in color. The green color results from the presence of small amounts of trivalent chromium (Cr3+
).[4]

Variscite
General
CategoryPhosphate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		AlPO4·2H2O
Strunz classification8.CD.10
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPbca
Identification
ColorPale to emerald-green (pale green in transmitted light), green, blue green, yellow green, pale shades of brown or yellow, rarely red and colourless to white
Crystal habitEncrustations and reniform masses
Cleavage[010] perfect
FractureConchoidal to splintery
Mohs scale hardness4.5
LusterVitreous to waxy
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.57 to 2.61
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.563 nβ = 1.588 nγ = 1.594
Birefringenceδ = 0.031
References[1][2][3]

Geology

Variscite is a secondary mineral formed by direct deposition from phosphate-bearing water that has reacted with aluminium-rich rocks in a near-surface environment.[5] It occurs as fine-grained masses in nodules, cavity fillings, and crusts. Variscite often contains white veins of the calcium aluminium phosphate mineral crandallite.

It was first described in 1837 and named for the locality of Variscia, the historical name of the Vogtland, in Germany. At one time, variscite was called Utahlite. At times, materials which may be turquoise or may be variscite have been marketed as "variquoise". Appreciation of the color ranges typically found in variscite have made it a popular gem in recent years.[6]

Variscite from Nevada typically contains black spiderwebbing in the matrix and is often confused with green turquoise. Most of the Nevada variscite recovered in recent decades has come from mines located in Lander County.[7]

Notable localities are Lucin, Snowville, and Fairfield in Utah, United States. Most recently found in Wyoming as well. It is also found in Germany, Australia, Poland, Spain[8] and Brazil.

Jewelry

Variscite is sometimes used as a semi-precious stone, and is popular for carvings and ornamental use due to its beautiful and intense green color, and is commonly used in silversmithing in place of turquoise. Variscite is more rare and less common than turquoise, but because it is not as commonly available as turquoise or as well known to the general public, raw variscite tends to be less expensive than turquoise.[6][4][9]

  • Cut slab of variscite at the Smithsonian. Specimen is roughly 0.5 m wide.
  • Variscite filling the cracks in siltstone. The sample is from Queensland, Australia. The width of the view is 11 cm (4.3 in).
  • Polished variscite from Nevada.
  • Variscite and silver bolo tie. This variscite specimen contains inclusions of white crandallite and is from Clay Canyon near Fairfield, Utah

See also
  • Turquoise – Opaque, blue-to-green mineral: hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium
  • Variscan orogeny – Collision of tectonic plates resulting in the creation of mountains (same etymology, as named from the ancient locality of Variscia in Germany)
  • List of minerals

References
  1. http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/variscite.pdf Mineral Data Publishing – PDF
  2. http://www.mindat.org/min-4156.html Mindat
  3. http://webmineral.com/data/Variscite.shtml Webmineral data
  4. "Variscite Gemstone Information".
  5. Roncal-Herrero, T.; Rodríguez-Blanco, J. D.; Benning, L. G.; Oelkers, E. H. (2009). "Precipitation of Iron and Aluminum Phosphates Directly from Aqueous Solution as a Function of Temperature from 50 to 200 °C". Crystal Growth & Design. 9 (12): 5197–5205. doi:10.1021/cg900654m.
  6. Minerals of Nevada - Nevada Bureau of Mines Special Pub. 31 University of Nevada Press, 2004 Pages 78-81
  7. Gemstones of North America Volume III by John Sinkankas - Geoscience Press 1997
  8. "www.patrimonigava.cat". www.patrimonigava.cat.
  9. "Variscite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information - International Gem Society".
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