gemstone

Turquoise Beads

CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O

Hardness: 5-6 on Mohs scale. Color: Robin's egg blue, greenish-blue, or green. Luster: Waxy to subvitreous. Crystal structure: Triclinic. Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another (rarely seen as crystals are microcrystalline). Specific gravity: 2.60-2.86.

Hardness: 5-6 on Mohs scale
Color: Robin's egg blue, greenish-blue, or green
Luster: Waxy to subvitreous

Identified July 28, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the chemical action of descending water rich in copper and aluminum percolating through crustal rocks in arid environments, typically in weathered volcanic or sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry making, ornamental carvings, beads, and inlay work.

Geological facts

Turquoise is one of the world's most ancient gem materials, prized by the ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, and Persians as a sacred stone and a symbol of good fortune.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive blue-green color and typical dark web-like matrix veins. Found in arid regions worldwide including Iran, the southwestern United States, China, and Sinai.