Variscite
VarisciteJewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
Apple-green to blue-green, and — like howlite — regularly confused with or sold as turquoise. It is genuinely attractive in its own right and genuinely much softer, at Mohs 3½–4½, and IGS lists both dyeing and impregnation among its treatments.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 3½–4½ [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 2.2–2.57 [1] | — |
| Chemical formula | AlPO4 · 2H2O [2] | — |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic [2] | — |
| Common treatments | Dyeing and infusion/impregnation, per IGS — the porous material is commonly stabilised with resin, the same way much turquoise is. [1] | — |
| Suitability for daily wear | Poor for rings. At Mohs 3½–4½ it will scratch in ordinary wear. [1] | — |
| Care cautions | Impregnated material is damaged by heat, so keep it away from a jeweller’s torch. Avoid solvents and ultrasonic cleaners. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)