Minerals.net Menu

The Mineral metavariscite

Botryoidal Metavariscite Mass

Metavariscite is a rare polymorphous form of the mineral Variscite, and is essentially the same except that its crystal structure differs. It can occur together with Variscite in the same locality, and is very similar in appearance.

Chemical Formula

AlPO₄ · 2(H₂O)

Color

Light green

Crystal System

Monoclinic

Properties

Streak
White

Hardness
3.5

Transparency
Translucent to opaque. Transparent in micro crystals.

Specific Gravity
2.5

Luster
Vitreous, waxy

Cleavage
1,1

Fracture
Splintery, uneven

Tenacity
Brittle

Crystal Habits

Crystals are in micro form, and are thin tabular or elongated prismatic. Crystals are occasionally twinned as v-twins. Most often nodular, botryoidal, reniform, grainy, and massive.

Additional Information

Composition
Aluminum phosphate

In Group
Phosphates; True Phosphates

Striking Features
Color, habits, and mode of occurrence.

Environment
As a secondary mineral in hydrothermal replacement deposits and brecciated sandstones.

Rock Type
Sedimentary, Metamorphic

Noteworthy Localities

The only significant deposit of Metavariscite that has produced collector specimens is the Utahlite Claim, in the Lucin District, Box Elder County, Utah, where it occurs in aggregates of microcrystals which may sparkle on individual faces. The type locality in this deposit is the Edison-Bird mine.