Variscite
Mineral AlPO4·2H2O
Also called Utahlite
About it
Apple-green nodules softer than turquoise, often veined with yellow and brown phosphates in Utah material from Clay Canyon near Fairfield. Polished as cabochons; named for Variscia, an old name for the Vogtland in Germany.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Phosphate, variscite group
- Formula
- AlPO4·2H2O
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5–4.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.57–2.61
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), waxy
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Colours
- pale green, apple green, blue-green, colourless
- Transparency
- translucent, opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- good in one direction, rarely seen; conchoidal fracture in masses
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.