Chemical composition -- Aluminum phosphate with water.
Color -- Shades of light to medium green.
Optics -- R.I 1.56-1.59.
Durability -- Hardness 3.5-4.5.
Crystal structure -- Orthorhombic.
Specific Gravity -- 2.2-2.57.
Sources -- Utah, Nevada, Germany, Australia, Spain, and other scattered localities. Variscite has occasionally been used as a substitute for turquoise, but it is often cut in cabochons for its interesting patterns and rich green coloration.