Variscite - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

VARISCITE, a native hydrous aluminium phosphate, A1PO 4.2H 2 0, named by A. Breithaupt, in 1837, in consequence of its occurrence in the Saxon Voigtland (Variscia). It is a green mineral generally occurring as an incrustation or in nodules. A compact nodular variety was discovered about 1894 in Cedar Valley, near Old Camp Floyd, Utah, and was described by Dr G. F. Kunz as utahlite. Its beautiful apple-green colour has led to its use, when cut and polished, as an ornamental stone. The term utahlite must be distinguished from utahite, the name given by A. Arzruni to a basic ferric sulphate, 3(FeO)2S04.4H20, from Utah.