Preface
In
this month's installment, we will pay a brief visit to a bright green favorite: Variscite.
A relative to turquoise, we can appreciate its beauty in a great way by pictures.
(Note:
We have rescheduled Wayne Urion's article for June 2006. So keep your eyes peeled!)
Introduction
Welcome to
another Mineral Picfest!
This month, we
are showing Variscite, a hydrous phosphate cousin to Turquoise. What is
green, and cabs like turquoise? Well, Variscite, of course. Enjoy!
Green Variscite
is akin to turquoise in that both are Aluminum Phosphates. Turquoise is
a Hydrated Copper Aluminum Phosphate, which. differs from Variscite mainly by the presence
of copper. It has a chemical formula of CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8*5(H2O).
It works much
like turquoise. For example, oil should not be used in cutting this gemstone,
as the porous material can absorb it, thus rendering your material near useless.
In nature,
Variscite can alter to Crandallite, along with other phosphate minerals, which is
seen as a whitish-yellow layering in and on the nodules. Crandallite is
CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5-H2O.
I have samples
from Farfield, Utah and Australia. Other famous locales are in Germany and
Brazil.
A good reference site is: http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/dietr1rv/variscite.htm.
Links
Australian Outback Mining
Variscite and
Associated Phosphates from Fairfield, Utah
Fairfield,
Oquirrh Mts, Utah Co., Utah, USA Gallery
Variscite and
Charoite Pendant-Brooch
Variscite
Picture (outstanding!)
Uses
Mainly, Variscite is used in much the same way as Turquoise, as an ornamental
stone
and gemstone.
Here is where DMS Members can add their Variscite
photos to share with us.
Until Next Time
We hope you have enjoyed our all
too short visit to Variscite. Please join us next month,
when we expect to see a favored green garnet!
Until then, stay safe, and happy collecting. 
Article Contributors
I would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous
contributions of our fellow variscite
enthusiasts,
collectors, authors, curators, professionals, and club members who made this
work possible. Thanks.
Stan Celestian, Earth Sciences Department, Glendale Community College, Glendale, Arizona
© 2006 All contributions to this
article are covered under the copyright protection of this article
and by separate and several copyright protection(s), and are to be used for the sole
purposes of
enjoying this scholarly article. They are used gratefully with express written
permission of the
authors, save for generally-accepted scholarly quotes, short in nature, deemed legal to
reference
with the appropriate citation and credit. Reproduction of this article must
be obtained by express
written permission of the author, Kenneth B. Casey, for his contributions, authoring,
photos, and
graphics. Use of all other credited materials requires permission of each
contributor separately.
Links and general contact information are included in the credits above,
and throughout this article.
The advice offered herein are only suggestions; it is the reader's charge to use the
information
contained herein responsibly. DMS is not responsible for misuse or
accidents caused from this
article. All opinions, theories, proofs, and views expressed within this article, and in
others on this
website, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Delaware Mineralogical Society.
Suggested Reading
|
|
About
the Author: Ken is current webmaster of the Delaware
Mineralogical Society. He has a diploma in
Jewelry Repair, Fabrication & Stonesetting from the Bowman Technical School,
Lancaster, PA, and worked as jeweler. He has
also studied geology at the University of Delaware. And,
he is currently a member of the Delaware Mineralogical Society and the Franklin-Ogdensburg
Mineralogical Society. E-mail: kencasey98@yahoo.com.
|
|
|
Invitation to Members
Members,
Want to see your name in print? Want to co-author, contribute,
or author a whole Mineral of the Month
article? Well, this the forum for you!
And Members, if you have pictures, or a story you would like to
share, please feel free to offer. We'd like to post them for our mutual enjoyment.
Of course, you get full photo and author credit, and a chance to reach other
collectors, hobbyists, and scientists. We only ask that you check your facts, give
credit where it is due, keep it wholesome for our Junior Members watching, and keep on
topic regarding rockhounding.
You don't even have to be experienced in making a webpage. We
can work together to publish your story. A handwritten short story with a Polaroid
will do. If you do fancier, a text document with a digital photo will suit, as well.
Sharing is the groundwork from which we can get your story out there.
Our club's webpages can reach any person
surfing the net in the world, and even on the International Space Station, if they have a
mind to view our website!
We are hoping for a possible tie-in to other
informative programs upon which our fellow members might want to collaborate.
Contact any officer or board member with your suggestions.
Our next MOTM will
be a surprise. For 2005-6, we are waiting for your
suggestions. What mineral do you
want to know more about?
____________________________________
Most of the Mineral of the Month
selections have come from most recent club fieldtrips and March Show Themes, and from
inspriring world locales. thus far. If you have a suggestion for a future Mineral of the Month, please e-mail me
at: kencasey98@yahoo.com, or tell me at our next meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
