Variscite is a hydrated aluminium phosphate and turquoise's greener, quieter cousin, so alike in habit that old-timers called Utah material variquoise when the two intergrew. Its colour runs from pale mint to rich apple green, usually laced with fine grey or golden veining. The name comes from Variscia, the historical name for the Vogtland district of Germany where it was first described in 1837. The most celebrated material comes from Utah in the USA, with fine stone also from Nevada and Western Australia. Neolithic people in Europe were carving variscite beads thousands of years ago.
Variscite is soft and a little porous, around 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, so treat it like fine turquoise: pendants, earrings and gently worn beads rather than daily rings. Keep it away from heat, chemicals, cosmetics and long soaks, and wipe it with a soft, damp cloth. It is cut as cabochons and beads that show off the webbed green. It is sometimes confused with chrysoprase and dyed imitations of both exist, so provenance from a trusted seller matters, and every stone we offer is genuine.
Turquoise is its close phosphate relative, and chrysoprase is the classic mix-up for its apple green.
