All About Variscite- Uses, Properties, Color, and Worth

What is Variscite?

Variscite is a mineral composed of hydrated aluminum phosphate.  This mineral will occur as nodules, veins, and fine grained masses.  Variscite can also occur as an uncommon fine-grained sparkly crust on host rocks.  The nodules are the most desirable form of this mineral.

In 1837, the German district of Variscia was where variscite was originally found, documented, and named.  Over the years, variscite has remained somewhat obscure and has not received a lot of attention.

Variscite will often times contain white veins of crandallite with it.  This will be due to the presence of calcium chemically forming with the aluminum phosphate available.

What is Variscite used for?

Variscite is used as ornamental stone or in the use of jewelry.  Though it’s not often used to create carvings, variscite will often be carved into cabochons for display.  The greens available with this mineral along with any patterns make it ideal for beautiful jewelry.

Variscite is considered a lesser precious gemstone. A Silversmith, which does metal working with silver, will often use variscite in the place of turquoise.  Its beautiful green colors can easily match the beauty of turquoise in any silver setting.

Variscite beads are a great way to display this colorful mineral. These beads are often put onto bracelets and necklaces. If you have seen variscite displayed in this way, you might have noted that they can be very eye appealing.

Some believe that variscite is a healing stone. It is believed that while wearing variscite it will have ample healing powers.  Some believe that it has the ability to sooth and grant clarity to the mind.  Like many other minerals under these beliefs, it is also believed that variscite will balance your body, mind, and spirit in some healing fashion.

Though beliefs and selling of these stones in that regard are likely more for novelty purposes, the sheer beauty of these gemstones will likely put an inquisitive thought or two into your head.

What is the color of Variscite?

The color of variscite is green or various different shades of green, even mixed greens.  The color can be blue green to yellow green and in some very rare cases red or violet.  The color of variscite, as well as its appearance, can often be confused with turquoise…

Additionally, malachite can be confused with this mineral due to the similar greens available in both.  Variscite will often be greener than turquoise and will not have the banding that malachite can have.

Variscite color has been attributed to the presence of smaller amounts of chromium when it was formed.  The presence of iron in variscite can create the rare colors of violets or reds. Be wary of those selling this mineral in other colors. They could be dyed or might be some other mineral.

What is Variscite worth?

Variscite worth can vary depending on the form it takes.  Much of variscite will have a worth or value that is low.  Typically, variscite price will be under $1 to $5 per gram for a raw specimen.  Its value and worth will be increased if it is cut out and polished as a cabochon.  These can then be for display or to fix to some sort of jewelry.

One expensive form of variscite will be smaller, very colorful, nodules captured in a spider like web.  This form of variscite is highly sought after and will be on the high end of $5 or more per gram.

Variscite is more rare than turquoise, however it does not seem to be as popular to the common public.  Given time, the tables may very well turn in the future if variscite continues to gain more popularity.

One of the main hindrances of variscite as cabochons or jewelry is its hardness on the Mohs scale being around 4.5, which can be a little soft for easy cutting.  The best place to pick up a variscite specimen, or even some jewelry, will be at a rock and mineral shop or at a rock and mineral show.    

How is Variscite formed?

Variscite is formed from phosphate rich waters that get deposited into cracks and crevices of host rock that contain ample amounts of aluminum.  This formation will usually occur near the surface of the earth with typical surface temperatures.

What is the difference between Variscite and Turquoise?

The main differences between variscite and turquoise is that turquoise is bluer due to its content of copper, where variscite has more of a green color.  Variscite and turquoise also differ in hardness on the Mohs scale of hardness.

Variscite is a little bit softer than turquoise with turquoise being a 5 – 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness and variscite coming in around a 4.5.  Additionally, the streak can give away turquoise as is a bluish white, while variscite is just white.

Many will call variscite the cousin of turquoise because they do look so similar at times.

Where can Variscite be found?

Variscite is found in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Poland, Spain, and Russia; In the United States of America locations of Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming are also popular places to find variscite.

Utah is a highly popular place to find this mineral with a few locations around the state.  Utahlite was at one time the name given to variscite (Some still use the name).  We can’t leave out Nevada though.  Nevada variscite is known for its black spider web appearance which has helped in the overall confusion of this mineral with turquoise.