gemstone

Turquoise jewelry setting

Turquoise, CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The visible blue-green cabochon appears to be turquoise, though dyed howlite or another imitation cannot be ruled out from the image. Turquoise has Mohs hardness 5–6, a waxy to subvitreous luster, and a cryptocrystalline, generally opaque structure;…

Identified October 3, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Turquoise forms as a secondary phosphate mineral in arid-region weathering zones, where copper-bearing fluids react with aluminum- and phosphorus-rich rocks. Deposits occur in rocks of many ages; the image does not reveal the stone’s geological age or source.

Uses & applications

Turquoise is used in cabochon jewelry, ornamentation, and collecting; this appears to be a gold-colored drop earring with a turquoise-colored cabochon.

Geological facts

Turquoise has been prized in jewelry for thousands of years and is associated with historic mines in Iran, the southwestern United States, and Egypt.

Field identification & locations

Natural turquoise commonly has uneven color and may show a matrix of host-rock veins; confirm identity and treatments with gemological testing, since imitations are common. The image alone cannot establish the stone’s authenticity, mine, or metal content.