[Jewelry making - Article 00159] - Re: [Orchid] Variquoise rough prices

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Hi all:

    OK. I'll give you my opinion on the Variquoise, turquoise and
    variscite discussion. 

    Variscite and turquoise do occur together as well as a mineral named
    Chalcociderite. I have seen some bead sellers say Chalcociderite is
    Turquoise that has turned green. They also say that another several
    hundred thousand years later it turns to Variscite. What I have
    studied I don't think this is right. Turquoise can turn green from
    oxidation, skin oils and others but I think there is more to it than
    just oxidation. 

    If the deposit is near the surface most likely there will never be
    any change. But, in the right conditions and local where the deposit
    is deep in the earth and where the acids and minerals that water
    picks up percolating through the earth it can change the molecular
    structure some. 

    These stones are members of the Phosphate group and in
    Chalcosiderite the ( iron replaces the aluminum) and to be called
    faustite (zinc replaces the aluminum) and these do exist in
    turquoise deposits but is usually only a partial replacement and the
    blue turquoise color, SG and chemical composition also changes
    slightly and still is considered turquoise. This also explains why
    the standard make up of Turquoise of CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 - 4H2O
    (Hydrated Copper Aluminum Phosphate) can vary and what gives color
    changes from blues to greens. 

    Chalcosiderite and Faustite very rare minerals but a lot of times
    green turquoise is called Chalcosiderite. To be true Chalcosiderite,
    no aluminum and iron should be in the make-up.     

    On Variscite this is what I found: "Variscite AlPO4-2H2O, Hydrated
    Aluminum Phosphate and when some of the aluminum is replaced by iron
    and chromium the shades of greens/blue greens vary." 

    Sometimes variscite has been called, Utahlite (gemmy nodules),
    sabalite and trainite (banded patterned type), amatrice
    (quartz/chalcedony matrix) , Australian jade and Australian
    turquoise. 

    Are you confused yet :-)  I am LOL  

    I guess you could say there's a fine line between these and 
    Variquoise is just a 'name' given to greenish blue stones.  I also
    looked  in 'GEMS: Their Descriptions and Identification" by Robert
    Webster and found no reference to 'variquoise' at all. 

    http://topgems.homestead.com 

Steve

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