THE MINERAL META-VARISCITE

Dims: 1.2" x 1.1" x 0.8"(3.0 x 2.8 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 13.1 g

Lucin, Box Elder County, Utah, U.S.A.

Though difficult to define, this specimen contains countless tiny green Metavariscite crystals. They are extremely small; one cannot effectively see single crystals even with a 10-power loupe! However, the material sparkles with tiny points of reflected light. The material is a pale green color and has at least a pearly luster to account for the sparkle. It is most likely translucent as far as individual crystals are concerned. The Metavariscite rests on what appears to be a variety of white limestone. This small example of a rather rare mineral shows better form than many variscite specimens that I have seen.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.9 x 2.8" (8.1 x 7.4 x 7.1 cm)

Wt: 11.2 oz. (318 g)

Lucin District, Box Elder County, Utah, U.S.A.

Several crusts of tiny, fibrous Meta-variscite needles coat portions of the white host rock of this specimen. These crusts appear to be in generally good condition, as the largest one shows only 2 small areas of crushing damage. The crystals do not exceed 2 mm in length, and most are less than half that long. They appear to have good monoclinic needle-like form, though they are too small for me to effectively study with my loupe, and show a bright pearly luster that gives the crust a dull sparkle. All have a pale green coloration and are transparent and clear. The host rock in which they rest strongly resembles a pale gray-white flint or chert that is slightly decomposed.

Dims: 2.0 x 1.8 x 1.2" (5.0 x 4.5 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 1.9 oz. (55 g)

Lucin District, Box Elder County, Utah, U.S.A.

A crystalline crust and several veins of massive Metavariscite are visible on this hand specimen. The crust is made up of countless tiny, needle-like crystals that appear to be in very good condition and do not exceed 1 or 2 mm in length. Though these crystals are difficult to study even under a loupe, their monoclinic form is likely good. All have a pale green coloration and a pearly luster, and are transparent and seemingly clear. The massive material has a deeper green coloration and is translucent at best.

Dims: 3.0 x 1.9 x 1.5" (7.6 x 4.9 x 3.9 cm)

Wt: 4.0 oz. (113 g)

Lucin, Box Elder County, Utah, U.S.A.

The dull, pale-gray base of this hand specimen holds countless tiny, green needles and a few veins of massive Meta-variscite. The needles do not exceed 1 mm in length and appear to be in very good condition. They are far too small to closely study even with a loupe, but likely have very good monoclinic form. The crystals have a very pale green coloration and a pearly luster, whereas the massive material has a slightly darker color and a dull luster.

Dims:2.0x1.7x1.0" (5.1x4.3x2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.4oz. (40g)

Lucin, Box Elder cty., Utah

Small vugs in this specimen hold tiny crystals of metavariscite. These crystals are so small that there is only a sparkle from the crystal faces reflecting light, even with a loupe. The matrix on this specimen appears to be massive metavariscite. There is no damage to this specimen.

Dims:2.2x1.5x0.7" (5.6x3.8x1.8 cm)

Wt: 1.1oz. (31g)

Lucin, Box Elder cty., Utah

Small vugs in the matrix of this specimen hold radiating clusters of metavariscite crystals. These crystals are tiny, and must be viewed with a loupe to be truly appreciated. There is no damage to this specimen.

Dims:2.0x1.2x1.2" (5.1x3.0x3.0 cm)

Wt: 1.5oz. (43g)

Lucin, Box Elder cty., Utah

A cavity in the matrix of this specimen is filled with tiny bladed crystals of metavariscite. These crystals are just large enough to be studied with a loupe. They show excellent orthorhombic form. There is no damage to this specimen.

Dims: 2.67x1.93x1.21" (6.77x4.90x3.08cm)

Wt: 2.30oz (65.1g)

Lucin, Utah, USA

This specimen has two forms of lovely green meta-variscite crystals. In a protected cavity in the host albite, there are several clusters of small radial crystals, which have an over-all opaque appearance (although a loupe shows that the individual crystals are transparent). On the surface are several clusters of a much deeper green color, with larger tabular crystals which are quite transparent. "Larger" is relative, I must point out, as even the largest crystals are only a millimeter or so in length - a loupe is needed to examine any of the individual crystals. Still, meta-variscite is a lovely green mineral, which contrasts nicely with the albite host of this specimen.