mineral

Turquoise

CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O (Hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium)

Hardness: 5-6 Mohs; Color: Sky blue, blue-green, apple green; Luster: Waxy to subvitreous; Crystal Structure: Triclinic (usually cryptocrystalline); Cleavage: Perfect (rarely seen in massive forms); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9

Hardness: 5-6 Mohs
Color: Sky blue, blue-green, apple green
Luster: Waxy to subvitreous

Identified May 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Turquoise is a secondary mineral formed by the percolation of meteoric water through copper-bearing aluminous rock. It typically occurs in arid regions as veins or crusts in altered volcanic rocks or as nodules in sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as an ornamental stone, gemstone for jewelry, and in traditional Southwest American and Middle Eastern crafts. It is also a popular collector’s mineral.

Geological facts

Turquoise has been mined for over 6,000 years, with ancient Egyptian and Persian civilizations being among the first to value it. Its name comes from the French 'turquois' meaning 'Turkish', as it first reached Europe via Turkey.

Field identification & locations

Identification includes its characteristic waxy luster and blue-green streak. In the field, look for volcanic host rocks in desert climates. Locations include Iran, Sinai (Egypt), and the Southwest US (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico).

Other mineral specimens

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Biotite Schist

Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]

metamorphic

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral