gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 31, 2024 14:24:34 GMT -5
Lately I've been cutting out old stashes of phosphate gems, mostly variscite and chalcosiderite. The latter used to be called plain old webbed variscite from Nevada. But the material I'm working was mined by a now-departed friend from an area I believe is or is near the New Lander Mine in NV. He told me lab tests have shown it to be an iron-rich phosphate resembling variscite but with the the 5-syllable name instead. They look the same to me. First, the chalcosiderite. The largest stone weighs almost 37 carats.  The second batch is what I have left of so-named variscite from Snowville, Utah. I can't see much difference from the chalcosiderite though the webbing has a different appearance and the color is slightly darker green. The largest stone weighs almost 57 carats. it's all fun and rewarding to cut and I like both kinds as well as turquoise.  |
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Post by Pat on Mar 31, 2024 16:42:36 GMT -5
I like it! A lordsorril snake would be a nice addition! |
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 3, 2024 16:44:33 GMT -5
Potato-potato 🤣
They look fantastic no matter what they are 👍
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2024 19:44:42 GMT -5
Rick, without your description of those, I would have put money on those being turquoise! They're gorgeous!!
*Okay...I just googled "chalcosiderite"...and see I wasn't really wrong! LOL
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 3, 2024 20:32:13 GMT -5
Rick, without your description of those, I would have put money on those being turquoise! They're gorgeous!! *Okay...I just googled "chalcosiderite"...and see I wasn't really wrong! LOL Not really, but...
This whole series of gemstones suffers from "mis-named-itis." Take the Snowville material. It's often called "Variquoise." Most of it is probably neither. It's likely chalcsiderite though I haven't seem a lab test verifying it. Many of these gems chemically form what's called a "solid solution series." They're basically the same chemical formula but sometimes one mineral substitutes for another, creating a related but different rock. For instance I was told the chalco in my post was mined within yards of the famous Number Eight Turquoise mine. But the minerals available during its formation differed slightly so it's not turquoise. I'm no chemistry or mineral expert but that's my basic understanding. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2024 21:21:43 GMT -5
Rick, without your description of those, I would have put money on those being turquoise! They're gorgeous!! *Okay...I just googled "chalcosiderite"...and see I wasn't really wrong! LOL Not really, but...
This whole series of gemstones suffers from "mis-named-itis." Take the Snowville material. It's often called "Variquoise." Most of it is probably neither. It's likely chalcsiderite though I haven't seem a lab test verifying it. Many of these gems chemically form what's called a "solid solution series." They're basically the same chemical formula but sometimes one mineral substitutes for another, creating a related but different rock. For instance I was told the chalco in my post was mined within yards of the famous Number Eight Turquoise mine. But the minerals available during its formation differed slightly so it's not turquoise. I'm no chemistry or mineral expert but that's my basic understanding. Dangit! Once again I think I'm gettin' it...and then...nope! LOL Thanks for the further explanation.  |
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