Variscite
Montgomery Ranch
Fairfield, Utah

This specimen is 10cm in diameter




Variscite      (Al,Fe)PO4.H2O

Phosphate; hydrated phosphate of aluminum and iron

Color and Luster: Pale green to emerald-green, also bluish green, colorless; vitreous, waxy; streak white

Hardness: 4-4.5

Cleavage: Good in one direction, poor in a second

Fracture: Uneven, splintery, conchoidal, brittle

Crystals: Orthorhombic; crystals are very rare, usually occur in fine grained masses, nodules, veinlets, or crusts

Photo by Lance Kearns


Descriptions taken from
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals