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Mineralpedia Details for Variscite

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Variscite

Variscite

Variscite is named for the old word for Vogtland, Variscia, which is the district in Germany from which Variscite gets its type locality. Generally, Variscite results from phosphate-rich waters interacting with aluminum-rich rocks. It can also be found on islands and in caves as a result of the phosphate provided by guano. Variscite is widely dispersed around the world at several localities. Sometimes used as a gem for jewelery.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/variscite.pdf

Formula
AlPO4·2H2
Crystal System
Orthorhombic 
Crystal Habit
Massive, Encrustations, Reniform 
Cleavage
Perfect, None, None 
Luster
Earthy (Dull) 
Color
blue green, colorless, green, light green 
Streak
white 
Class
Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal 
Fracture
Conchoidal 
Hardness
4-5 
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Variscite from Canarana, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Variscite
            from Canarana, Mato Grosso, Brazil Brilliant, emerald green with excellent luster Variscite crystal aggregates to 3mm.
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Variscite from Boa Vista, Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Variscite
            from Boa Vista, Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Brilliant cherry red well-defined, clusters of Variscite crystals forming tiny single spheroids to about 0.3mm on white Quartz with purple Strengite.

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Variscite from Little Green Monster mine, Clay Canyon, Fairfield, Utah Co., Utah, United States

Variscite
            from Little Green Monster mine, Clay Canyon, Fairfield, Utah Co., Utah, United States

Typical massive Variscite nodules 5 to 8cm across. Associated with with Millisite on Crandallite.

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Variscite from Deep Portland pit, Wharf mine, Lawrence Co., South Dakota, United States

Variscite
            from Deep Portland pit, Wharf mine, Lawrence Co., South Dakota, United States

Glassy light green micro crystals to 1mm.

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Variscite from Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, United States

Variscite
            from Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, United States

Light green masses in Pyrite.

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Variscite from Iron Monarch mine, Iron Knob, South Australia, Australia

Variscite
            from Iron Monarch mine, Iron Knob, South Australia, Australia

A stunning red Variscite specimen with coverage on front and back. The crystals are deep, translucent glassy red and araound 0.75 to 1mm in size. This is certainly the best worldwide loaclity for red Variscite, of wich there are few.

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Variscite from Wiśniówka Wielka, Świętokrzyskie, Poland

Variscite
            from Wiśniówka Wielka, Świętokrzyskie, Poland

Interesting honey colored spheroidal crystals of Variscite to 2mm in large pocket. T

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Variscite from Iron Knob, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, Australia

Variscite
            from Iron Knob, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, Australia

Amazing bright red crystals to 1mm.

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