VARISCITE

The Variscite is a mineral of green color. The range of greens presented is extensive: it can go from almost white to emerald green. It is an aluminum phosphate. It is believed that the color gives iron. Many times, the Variscita de Montcada has carbo black spots that make it very interesting for you when it comes to size.

The name comes from Latin, Variscia (former name of the Vogtland region). The name Cal.laita is also given.

Confusion: It can be confused with turquoise, crispapassa, jade.

Treatments: Similar to treatments of turquoise: impregnation with wax or resins and stains. Sometimes the two. Our variscites do not have any treatment.

Gemmological Uses: It is one of the minerals used since ancient times as an ornamental material. In stories, beads. Shackles

In Catalonia, in the town of Gava, the most ancient gallery mines in Europe have been discovered. 6,000 years ago, habitants of the area of ​​Gava dedicated themselves in the course of more than 1000 years to extract Variscita. They not only extracted it, but worked it out. They had sophisticated techniques to shape, create, and drill.

Currently the mines are in process of archaeological work, but at the moment it is thought that the exploitation was extending for more than 200ha.