Botryoidal Metavariscite Mass
PHOSPHATES; TRUE PHOSPHATES · MONOCLINIC

Metavariscite

AlPO4 · 2(H2O)

Hardness
3.5
Streak
White
Spec. Gravity
2.5
System
Monoclinic

About

Metavariscite is a rare polymorphous form of the mineral Variscite, and is essentially the same except that its crystal structure differs. It can occur together with Variscite in the same locality, and is very similar in appearance.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Striking Features

Color, habits, and mode of occurrence.

Environment

Polymorphs

Noteworthy Localities

The only significant deposit of Metavariscite that has produced collector specimens is the Utahlite Claim, in the Lucin District, Box Elder County, Utah, where it occurs in aggregates of microcrystals which may sparkle on individual faces. The type locality in this deposit is the Edison-Bird mine.

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Very similar to Variscite, and difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. Variscite has a slightly higher hardness than Metavariscite.

Photos