mineral
Turquoise beads
Turquoise, CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O; some beads may be stabilized or dyed
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 5–6; opaque blue-green color, waxy to dull luster, and fine-grained, typically without visible crystals or cleavage. The beads’ polish and color treatment cannot be determined from the image.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 5–6; opaque blue-green color, waxy to dull luster, and fine-grained, typically without visible crystals or cleavage. The beads’ polish and color treatment cannot be determined from the image.
Formation & geological history
Forms as a secondary copper phosphate in arid-zone rocks, where groundwater alters copper-bearing minerals; deposits range from recent geological settings to ancient ones. Common sources include Iran, the southwestern United States, China, and Mexico.
Uses & applications
Used chiefly in beads, jewelry, and ornamental objects; lesser uses include decorative inlay and collecting.
Geological facts
Turquoise is a hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate and has been prized in jewelry for thousands of years.
Field identification & locations
Recognize it by its opaque blue-to-green color and often irregular dark matrix veining; color alone cannot distinguish natural, stabilized, or imitation material. A strand like this is commonly worth about $10–$100, with value depending on bead quality, treatment, and provenance.
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Epidote
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Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
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