Variscite
Utah and Nevada (major sources)
Often mistaken for turquoise. A distinct green stone with its own dedicated collector following.
Where it comes from
Variscite is found primarily in Utah, with notable deposits in Nevada and elsewhere globally. The famed Lucin variscite from Utah is especially prized by collectors. The stone has been used in jewelry for over a century and was sometimes sold as 'utahlite' or even 'American jade' before its mineralogy was better understood.
What makes it distinctive
A hydrated aluminum phosphate, mineralogically distinct from turquoise but found in similar deposits and often confused at first glance. The color is typically apple green to spring green, sometimes yellow-green, with patchy matrix that can mimic turquoise's veining. The patterning can look like dappled light, river stones, or weathered moss depending on the cut.
How to identify it
Variscite reads green, where most turquoise reads at least somewhat blue. If a stone has true apple-green or spring-green color without any blue undertone, it's likely variscite rather than turquoise. Slightly softer than turquoise but still holds up well in jewelry. The green is its own thing once you learn to recognize it.
Source the stones
Looking for Variscite cabochons for a custom piece or your own work? Shop the Variscite collection at Cutting Edge Turquoise, our lapidary partner.
