AUM pendant in 925 silver with Utah variscite, 56×28×5 mm. On the back, the artisan has fret-sawn the AUM symbol: the silhouette goes through the silver from side to side, exposing the back of the variscite and allowing the stone to directly touch the skin. The front shows the apple green of the mirror-polished utahlite. 45 cm 925 silver chain included. Unique piece.
Item details
| Mineral |
Utah Variscite (utahlite — hydrated aluminum phosphate) |
| Item dimensions |
56 × 28 × 5 mm (includes bezel and mineral) |
| Shape and back |
Elongated freeform · back with fret-sawn AUM symbol |
| Metal |
925 Silver |
| Setting |
Closed bezel — recommended for variscite of 3.5–4.5 Mohs |
| Hardness |
3.5–4.5 Mohs |
| Origin |
Utah, United States |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Chain |
925 Silver, 45 cm, included |
| Item type |
Unique piece |
This particular piece
The variscite has a medium apple green color with irregular white and brown veins. The color is uniform in areas without veins — no abrupt gradients or oxide pockets that distort the green. The polished surface has the characteristic waxy luster of phosphates, warmer and duller than the vitreous luster of quartz. The AUM symbol covers the entire back. Fret-sawing it in a silver sheet — maintaining the correct blade tension to avoid breaking it on the curves of the Sanskrit — is a job that does not allow for subsequent correction. The elongated format of 56×28 mm gives the symbol sufficient scale and the variscite presence as a lapidary piece.
Variscite in lapidary tradition
Variscite has been carved long before it had a mineralogical name. In the Iberian Peninsula, the deposits of Palazuelos (Zamora) supplied green beads to Atlantic Neolithic workshops more than 5,000 years ago. In the American Southwest, the Ancestral Puebloans carved Utah variscite into ceremonial beads and pendants. In crystal tradition, variscite is associated with serenity and grounding. The fret-sawn AUM on the back makes the gesture of wearing the stone something more deliberate — the opening puts the mineral in direct contact with the wearer. Symbolic properties are part of a cultural tradition. They do not constitute medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AUM symbol engraved or fret-sawn?
Fret-sawn: the silhouette of the AUM is cut out with a jeweler's saw, passing through the silver from side to side. It is not a surface engraving. The opening exposes the back of the variscite and allows the stone to directly touch the skin.
Is the variscite treated?
No detectable treatment. The green comes from traces of vanadium or chromium incorporated during crystallization. Statement based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification.
Is it really a unique piece?
Yes. Variscite presents variations in color, veining, and matrix distribution from one stone to another. The vein pattern of this piece is not repeated.
How to care for variscite in daily use?
With 3.5–4.5 Mohs, it can be scratched by harder objects. Remove before activities involving blows, abrasives, or chemicals (perfume, chlorine). Store in an individual pouch. Consult our care page.
Is Utah variscite different from Spanish variscite?
Mineralogically they are the same species. Utah variscite has a more intense green with well-defined brown veins; Palazuelos (Zamora) variscite has a duller green with frequent white quartz.
Can the chain be changed?
Yes. The 45 cm 925 silver chain is detachable: it can be replaced by another according to the preferred drop.
More about variscite: properties and uses. See also: artisan pendants.
