Variscite

Variscite is one of the most sought after minerals in the entire mineral collecting world.  Variscite is a hydrated aluminum phosphate mineral. It is a relatively rare phosphate mineral that is formed by phosphate rich water deposits that react with aluminum rich rocks in a near-surface environment. It occurs as fine-grained masses in nodules, cavity fillings, and crusts. Variscite often may contain white veins of the mineral Crandallite (a calcium aluminum phosphate mineral).

Variscite was originally discovered in Germany in 1837.  Its name is derived from Variscia, the historical name of Vogtland in Germany, where it was first found. In earlier years, it was also called Utahlite (after significant deposits were found in Utah). It has been sold in America as Variscite, Utah Turquoise, Utahlite, and even soldas Turquoise without the copper.  At times, when exact identities were unknown, minerals which may be turquoise or may be Variscite have even been sold as "Variquoise".

Variscite is often confused with Turquoise. Variscite is normally a more green color, rather than blue. Turquoise coloring comes from traces of copper; Variscite is colored by traces of chromium. Variscite from Nevada can easily be confused with green turquoise since it has black spider-webbing patterns in the matrix, similar to most green turquoise. Most of the Nevada Variscite recovered in recent decades has come from mines located in Lander County in central Nevada. The most notable Variscite deposits in America are found in Utah and Nevada. It has also been found in Australia, Germany, Poland, Spain and Brazil.