Variscite

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Refractive Index : 1.590 – 1.560 (+ 0.003 – 0.006)

Optical Characteristic : DR, AGG

Specific Gravity : 2.50 (- 0.10 + 0.10)

Formula : AIPO4.2(H2O)

Crystal System : Orthorhombic

Variety/Species : All

Species/Group : Variscite

Birefringence : Not detectable

Dispersion : N/A

Hardness : 3.5 to 5

Toughness : Poor

Ultrasonic : Never

Steam : Never

UV Long : Inert to weak

UV Short : Inert to weak

Pleochroism : None

Strength : N/A

Pleochroism Colors : None

Heat : Sensitive

Acids : Attacked by acids and/or chemicals

Light : Stable

Polish Luster : Waxy to vitreous

Fracture : Granular to uneven

Fracture Luster : Dull

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Chromium and iron

Enhancements : None

Cleavage : Good in 1 direction

Color Range : Light to medium, yellowish green, bluish green. Often mottled or veined with yellow to brown matrix.

Transparency : Translucent to opaque

Phenomena : None

Separations : Variscite from-
Natural Turquoise Gemstone : color filiter, RI, appearance, spectrum, SG(possibly)Jadeite : RI, SG, spectrum, appearanceGlass : fracture luster, magnification, RI(possibly), spectrum(poss)Plastic : SG, magnification, RI(possibly), spectrum(possibly)Serpentine : RI(possibly), spectrum, color filter, appearance

Malachite : appearance, RI, SG

Identifying Characteristics and information
Yellow to brown matrix, stone appears pinkish through the color filter

Spectral Data
Strong line at 6880. Weaker line at 6500

Trade Names and Misnomers
Amatrix
Australian Jade (M)
Australian Turquoise (M)
Barrandite
Bolivarite
California Turquoise (M)
Lucinite
Nevada Turquoise (M)
Sabalite
Strengite

Amatrice

Utahlite

Trainite

List of Gemstones | Rare Minerals | Gem stones | Gems » Australian Jade

Variscite