Editing Variscite (section)

==Geology==
Variscite is a secondary mineral formed by direct deposition from phosphate-bearing water which has reacted with aluminium-rich rocks in a near-surface environment.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Roncal-Herrero|first1=T.|last2=Rodríguez-Blanco|first2=J. D.|last3=Benning|first3=L. G.|last4=Oelkers|first4=E. H.|title=Precipitation of Iron and Aluminum Phosphates Directly from Aqueous Solution as a Function of Temperature from 50 to 200 °C|journal=Crystal Growth & Design|date=2009|volume=9|issue=12|pages=5197–5205|doi=10.1021/cg900654m}}</ref> It occurs as fine-grained masses in [[nodule (geology)|nodule]]s, cavity fillings, and crusts. Variscite often contains white veins of the calcium aluminium phosphate mineral [[crandallite]].

It was first described in 1837 and named for the locality of [[Variscia]], the historical name of the [[Vogtland]], in Germany.  At one time, variscite was called ''Utahlite''. At times, materials which may be [[turquoise]] or may be variscite have been marketed as "variquoise". Appreciation of the color ranges typically found in variscite have made it a popular gem in recent years.<ref name="nevadaminerals">Minerals of Nevada – Nevada Bureau of Mines Special Pub. 31 University of Nevada Press, 2004 Pages 78–81</ref>

Variscite from [[Nevada]] typically contains black spiderwebbing in the matrix and is often confused with green turquoise.  Most of the Nevada variscite recovered in recent decades has come from mines located in [[Lander County, Nevada|Lander County]]<ref>Gemstones of North America Volume III by John Sinkankas – Geoscience Press 1997</ref> and [[Esmeralda County, Nevada|Esmeralda County]], specifically in the [[Candelaria Hills]].

Notable localities are [[Lucin, Utah|Lucin]], [[Snowville, Utah|Snowville]], and [[Fairfield, Utah|Fairfield]] in [[Utah]], [[United States]]. Most recently found in [[Wyoming]] as well. It is also found in [[Germany]], [[Australia]], [[Poland]], [[Spain]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patrimonigava.cat/lahistoriajaciment|title=www.patrimonigava.cat|website=www.patrimonigava.cat}}</ref> [[Italy]] ([[Sardinia]]), and [[Brazil]].