mineral
Turquoise and Hematite
Turquoise (CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O) and Hematite (Fe2O3)
Turquoise: Hardness 5-6, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, triclinic system, blue-green color. Hematite: Hardness 5.5-6.5, metallic luster, hexagonal system, dark grey to black color.
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Physical properties
Turquoise: Hardness 5-6, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, triclinic system, blue-green color. Hematite: Hardness 5.5-6.5, metallic luster, hexagonal system, dark grey to black color.
Formation & geological history
Turquoise forms via secondary weathering of copper-rich host rocks in arid regions. Hematite forms through the oxidation of iron-bearing minerals or precipitation from water.
Uses & applications
Predominantly used for ornamental purposes, jewelry beads, and lapidary arts. Hematite is also a major ore of iron.
Geological facts
Turquoise has been mined since at least 3000 BCE in Sinai; hematite is known as 'bloodstone' because it leaves a reddish-brown streak when rubbed on a streak plate.
Field identification & locations
Identify turquoise by its characteristic spider-web matrix or robin's egg blue color; identify hematite by its metallic sheen and heavy weight. Common in the American Southwest, Iran, and China.
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