| VARISCITE MINERAL FACTS | |
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| The Gem and Mineral Collector's Photo Gallery by Nevada Outback |
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Variscite Mineral Facts: Colors: Various shades of light to deep green. Streak is white.
Hardness: 4 Cleavage: None known. Crystallography: Orthorhombic Luster:. Vitreous, opaque to subtranslucent. Optics: (Refractive Index): Opaque |
Above: Utah Variscite |
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Nearly all crystals are tabular and though twins are common, any crystals are comparatively rare. The mineral occurs usually in fibrous or finely granular masses and as incrustations. The fiberous masses often take on a nodular to boytryoidal form.
Identification and Diagnostics
Occurrence,
Localities and Origins: Variscite occurs at Messbach, Saxony; the fibrous variety occurs as concretions in slates at Brandberg, near Leoben, Austria. Gem quality material is also found in certain locations in Australia. In the US it is found in Montgomery County, Arkansas; near Lucin, Utah, and at a number of other places in Tooele and Washington Counties in this State. Variscite is also found in Esmeralda and Lander Counties, in Nevada. Both the Utah and Nevada locations furnish material suitable for gemstone use. The principal use for this mineral is as a gemstone. Only the more attractive and well colored forms of variscite are cut and polished. The gems are employed as sets in necklaces, belt pins, etc. - mostly in the same types of jewelry as turquoise is used. While normally sold as variscite, they are also sometimes sold under the names "utahlite" and "amatrice," but because of the softness of the variscite it cannot always be used with success for all the purposes for which turquoise matrix stones are used. Return to the Mineral Collectors Information Page |
Above: Nevada Variscite Gems |
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Please note that the author, Chris Ralph, retains all copyrights to this entire document and it may not be reproduced, quoted or copied without permission.
NEVADA OUTBACK GEMS TURQUOISE AND JEWELRY
