Variscite

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Minerals USA 29 Variscite SEP WASHING 17 1992 20066 KOSLOW DC

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VARISCITE First Day of Issue: September 17, 1992 First Issue Location: Washington, D.C. Variscite is a phosphate mineral that occurs in glassy nodules, veins, or crusts in near-surface deposits. Formed by the action of phosphate waters on aluminous rocks, this mineral occurs in Germany, Austria, Czechoslova- kia, Zaire, Australia and Utah. It is also found on islands where phosphatic solutions from guano — seafowl ex- crement – have interacted with aluminous igneous rocks. Most gem quality variscite occurs in an extensive deposit at Fairfield, Utah. Commonly known at this location as Utahlite, it is found in nodular masses as much as a foot in diameter. Pale green in color, this semipre- cious gemstone is used extensively as an ornamental material in brooches, earrings and beads. Variscite is often substituted for turquoise, which it closely re- sembles, but is more porous and tends to absorb body oils which discolor it. Cut into sections, variscite frequently exhibits color variation near the center because of greater density, and may display "eyes” of other phosphate minerals as well. No. 92-115 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Howard Koslow Fleetwood