mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 5-6, distinctive robin's-egg blue to greenish-blue color, waxy to subvitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 5-6, distinctive robin's-egg blue to greenish-blue color, waxy to subvitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms in arid regions through the chemical action of percolating acidic groundwater containing copper reacting with aluminum and phosphorus-bearing minerals.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and inlay work.
Geological facts
Turquoise is one of the world's most ancient gemstones, prized by the ancient Egyptians and Native Americans for millennia.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its unique blue-green color and typical dark web-like matrix veins; found globally in arid mining districts.
