Variscite

Variscite is a phosphate mineral containing aluminium, phosphorus and water (AlPO₄·2H₂O). Many people confuse it with turquoise, but variscite is usually greener. Its green colour comes from tiny amounts of trivalent chromium. It mostly occurs as fine-grained masses, nodules and crusts and is often veined with white.

Jewellery and ornamental stone: Cabochons, beads and carvings are made from it; because of its intense green it is often used in silversmithing in place of turquoise. In history: Beads and pendants have been made from it since the Neolithic, and it was carved in Roman times as an imitation of emerald. Collecting: Nodules from Utah and crystallised specimens from some Nevada mines attract collectors.

It has a hardness of 3.5–4.5 on the Mohs scale. A fingernail cannot scratch it, but a steel knife can. Its specific gravity is 2.57–2.61 g/cm³.

Its best-known localities: Vogtland (Messbach, near Oelsnitz), Saxony, Germany; Lucin, Utah, USA; Fairfield, Utah, USA; Gavà, Barcelona, Spain; Encinasola, Huelva, Spain.

Its colour ranges from pale green through emerald green to bluish green; the lustre is between glassy and waxy. It often shows white veins (of the mineral crandallite). Its hardness is between 3.5 and 4.5; a steel knife scratches it. Its specific gravity is about 2.6. It is usually greener than turquoise, but bluish-green specimens are mistaken for turquoise and are hard to tell apart by eye; a gem laboratory is needed for a certain answer. Confusion with turquoise: Nevada variscite with black web veining is often taken for green turquoise. Material that may be turquoise or may be variscite has at times been sold under names such as “variquoise”.

On the “street to diamond” value ladder it sits on step 5 of nine: Ornamental stone. Its value depends on the vividness and saturation of the colour (an even, deep emerald green is the most sought-after), the evenness of the vein and matrix pattern, and how well it takes a polish. Stones with white veins or a black web pattern are also liked for their patterns. Because it can be confused with turquoise and sold under names such as “variquoise”, it matters that the seller gives the stone's correct name.

Some news websites in Türkiye write that variscite is a “courage stone” that gives its wearer courage and confidence, brings peace and harmony to the heart, and protects against bad situations. The same articles say the stone reduces nervousness and stress, increases hope, and brings sleep to people who cannot sleep from tension if placed under the pillow. The same articles claim variscite is good for stomach complaints and bloating and has beneficial effects in some men's problems; crystal-therapy practitioners also link it to the heart chakra. There is no scientific evidence that variscite gives courage, confidence or sleep, or that it helps the stomach or any other organ; stomach complaints, insomnia and sexual problems should be assessed by a doctor. Putting the stone in water and drinking it has no benefit either. This section reports beliefs; it is not health information. There is no scientific evidence for these claims and no stone replaces medical treatment.