Variscite For Sale

Variscite is a vibrant green to bluish-green mineral admired for its striking color and unique patterns. It typically forms in nodules or veins within host rocks, often displaying beautiful, swirling patterns that make it a popular choice for ornamental uses and jewelry. With a waxy to vitreous luster and relatively low hardness, ranking about 4 to 5 on the Mohs scale, variscite’s color comes from trace amounts of elements like chromium and vanadium. Unlike its more common look-alike, turquoise, variscite lacks copper, which gives turquoise its distinctive blue tones.

Variscite is mainly found in regions like Utah and Nevada in the United States, as well as in Australia, Germany, and Brazil. Utah variscite is particularly famous for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns, often featuring thin, web-like matrix lines that enhance its visual appeal. This rare combination of color and pattern makes variscite a prized choice for collectors and artisans alike.

More About Variscite

46 Items ($25 to $215)

Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia #239924

4.4" Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia

$215

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248366

2.6" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$195

Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia #239923

5.9" Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia

$185

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248360

2.4" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$165 $115

Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia #239912

4.4" Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia

$115

Polished Variscite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver #279441

2.0" Polished Variscite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver

$99

Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Slab - Australia #239915

5.7" Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Slab - Australia

$99

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248347

2.75" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$95

Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Slab - Australia #239905

5" Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Slab - Australia

$89

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248357

3.4" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$75 $59

Polished Variscite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver #279443

1.75" Polished Variscite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver

$75

Polished Variscite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver #279446

1.75" Polished Variscite Pendant (Necklace) - Sterling Silver

$75

Polished Pastel Green Lucin Variscite ( g) - Utah #256273

2.4" Polished Pastel Green Lucin Variscite (71.3 g) - Utah

$72

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Slice - Amatrice Hill, Utah #241199

4.7" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Slice - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$65

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248353

2.3" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$55

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Stone - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248382

1.7" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Stone - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$49

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248365

3.25" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$49

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Stone - Amatrice Hill, Utah #248379

1.75" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Stone - Amatrice Hill, Utah

$39

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Egg - Utah #308756

1.45" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Egg - Utah

$35

Polished Pastel Green Variscite Egg - Utah #308757

1.2" Polished Pastel Green Variscite Egg - Utah

$25

Polished Pastel Green Lucin Variscite Sphere - Utah #309008

1.85" Polished Pastel Green Lucin Variscite Sphere - Utah

SOLD

Slab Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection #39161

7.6" Slab Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection

SOLD

Vibrant Green, Polished Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah #241207

5.4" Vibrant Green, Polished Variscite Section - Amatrice Hill, Utah

SOLD

Slab Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection Stock #39160

4.1" Slab Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection Stock

SOLD

Vibrant, Polished Variscite Section - Australia #239926

8.8" Vibrant, Polished Variscite Section - Australia

SOLD

Polished Slab Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection Stock #167961

6.4" Polished Slab Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection Stock

SOLD

Polished Section Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Utah #129646

4.4" Polished Section Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Utah

SOLD

Polished Bright Green Variscite Slab - Amatrice Hill, Utah #241205

4.7" Polished Bright Green Variscite Slab - Amatrice Hill, Utah

SOLD

Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia #256288

3" Polished Aluminum Phosphate (Variscite) Section - Australia

SOLD

Polished Section Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection Stock #129647

6.3" Polished Section Of Clay Canyon Variscite - Old Collection Stock

SOLD

More About Variscite

Variscite is a captivating mineral known for its rich green hues and intricate patterns, making it a favorite among collectors, jewelers, and artisans. This rare, phosphate mineral is often compared to turquoise due to its similar appearance but boasts its own unique beauty and characteristics. Itforms in environments rich in phosphate, usually as a secondary mineral through the action of groundwater that contains dissolved phosphate. As these waters interact with rocks high in aluminum, variscite begins to precipitate and grow in veins or nodules within the host rock. This process takes thousands, sometimes millions, of years, as the mineral slowly solidifies and incorporates trace elements, which give variscite its distinctive green color.

The color of variscite can vary from pale green to deep emerald, depending on the presence of trace elements like chromium and vanadium. These elements interact with the mineral’s chemical structure, resulting in a range of hues from soft seafoam to intense, mossy green. Unlike turquoise, which often contains copper and is therefore blue, variscite’s color is purely a result of its phosphate composition and trace inclusions.

Notable Variscite Deposits

Variscite is relatively rare and is found in only a few notable locations worldwide. Some of the best-known deposits include:

Utah, USA - Utah is one of the most famous sources of variscite, especially from the Little Green Monster mine near Fairfield. The variscite from this region is known for its vibrant green color, often interlaced with thin, web-like matrix lines of host rock, creating striking patterns. This Utah variscite is highly sought after by collectors and jewelers alike.

Nevada, USA - Nevada is another important source of variscite in the United States. The material from this region often displays beautiful, soft green colors with occasional matrix patterns, similar to Utah variscite but with its own distinct appearance.

Australia - Australian variscite, particularly from the Northern Territory, often features deep green colors with a range of pattern variations. This variety is also prized for its quality and is sometimes used in cabochons and other jewelry pieces.

Germany - Variscite was first discovered in Germany, in the region of Variscia (now Vogtland), which gave the mineral its name. German variscite is not as vibrant as the material from Utah or Nevada but holds historical significance and is still valued by collectors.

Brazil - Brazil is home to deposits of variscite with softer, lighter green hues, sometimes bordering on bluish-green. Brazilian variscite may not have as pronounced matrix patterns but is known for its pure, soft colors.

Physical Properties and Identification

Variscite is relatively soft, with a hardness of about 4 to 5 on the Mohs scale, meaning it requires care when used in jewelry or decorative items. It has a waxy to vitreous luster, giving it a soft glow when polished, which enhances its appeal in cabochons, beads, and other polished forms. It is often confused with turquoise, as they share a similar appearance, but variscite is generally greener and lacks the copper that gives turquoise its characteristic blue shade. One of variscite’s distinguishing features is its often mottled appearance, with thin lines or webbing of the host rock matrix visible against the green background, adding to its uniqueness.

Uses of Variscite

Due to its eye-catching color and rarity, variscite is commonly used in jewelry and ornamental pieces. Its softness makes it more suitable for items like necklaces, earrings, and pendants that are less exposed to everyday wear. Jewelers and artisans enjoy working with variscite because of its distinctive patterns and hues, allowing them to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Beyond jewelry, variscite is also popular for decorative carvings and as a collector’s mineral. Its soft luster and fascinating patterns make it a beautiful addition to any mineral collection, especially for those interested in rare and unique stones.

Variscite’s rarity and beauty make it highly collectible. Each piece of variscite is unique, with variations in color, pattern, and matrix. Collectors often seek specimens from specific locations, with Utah variscite being particularly valued for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The combination of its rarity and stunning visual appeal has made variscite a prized mineral on the market, with certain pieces fetching high prices.

In addition, variscite’s historical significance as a mineral that has been collected and appreciated for centuries—particularly in Germany, where it was first described—adds a layer of historical interest for collectors and geologists.

More About Variscite

Notable Variscite Deposits

Physical Properties and Identification

Uses of Variscite