Rock Identifier
Turquoise (CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8"""""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" • 4H2O (Hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate)) — mineral
mineral

Turquoise

CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8"""""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" """""""""" • 4H2O (Hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate)

Hardness 5-6 Mohs. Color: sky blue to blue-green. Luster: waxy to subvitreous. Crystal system: triclinic (rarely in crystals, usually cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: perfect (rarely observed due to habit).

Color
sky blue to blue-green
Luster
waxy to subvitreous
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Physical properties

Hardness 5-6 Mohs. Color: sky blue to blue-green. Luster: waxy to subvitreous. Crystal system: triclinic (rarely in crystals, usually cryptocrystalline). Cleavage: perfect (rarely observed due to habit).

Formation & geological history

Secondary mineral formed by the action of percolating acidic solutions during the weathering and oxidation of pre-existing minerals (often copper sulfides) in arid environments.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone and ornamental stone in jewelry, carvings, and beadwork. Highly valued by Native American cultures for spiritual and artistic purposes.

Geological facts

The name turquoise comes from the French 'turquois' for 'Turkish', as it was first brought to Europe through Turkey. It is one of the oldest gemstones ever mined, with records dating back to ancient Egypt.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its unique robin’s egg blue color and waxy appearance; often contains spiderweb-like dark matrix veins. Common in Iran (Nishapur), Southwestern USA (Arizona, Nevada), and China.

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