Variscite 20.60ct

Variscite is a green colored mineral. The range of greens it presents is extensive: it can go from almost white to emerald green. It is an aluminum phosphate. It is believed that the color gives it the iron. Moncada variscite often has black carbon stains that make it present very interesting drawings when carving.

The name comes from the Latin, Varisco (former denomination of the Vogtland region). It has also been given the name Calaite.

Confusions: It can be confused with turquoise, crisopassa, jade.

Treatments: similar to the turquoise treatments: Impregnation with waxes or resins and dyes. Sometimes both. Our variscite do not have any treatment.

Gemological uses: It is one of the minerals used since ancient times as an ornamental material. In stories, beads. cabochons.

In Catalonia, in the town of Gava, the oldest gallery mines in Europe have been discovered. 6,000 years ago, inhabitants of the Gava area dedicated themselves over the course of more than 1,000 years to extracting variscite. Not only did they extract it, but they worked it. They had sophisticated techniques to shape, make chains and foradar.les.

Currently the mines are in the process of archaeological work, but at the moment it is believed that the exploitation extended over 200ha per month.