Variscite

An apple-green aluminum phosphate found as nodules and veins, cut like turquoise.

Variscite specimen — Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify variscite

Apple to mint green, waxy and opaque.
Nodules with yellow and brown rims in Utah material.
Softer than jade.

Often confused with

Turquoise
Turquoise is bluer and harder.
Compare side by side
Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is harder and translucent.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

Fairfield, Utah
Nevada
Australia
Germany

Uses

Cabochons and carvings.

Rock tumbling

Can be tumbled with care.

Did you know?

It's named after Variscia, the old Latin name for the Vogtland region of Germany.

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