mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 5 to 6, blue to green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, triclinic crystal system, specific gravity of 2.6 to 2.9.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Turquoise in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 5 to 6, blue to green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, triclinic crystal system, specific gravity of 2.6 to 2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the chemical action of descending water rich in copper and aluminum percolating through host rocks in arid regions.
Uses & applications
Extensively used as a gemstone in jewelry, decorative carvings, and inlay work.
Geological facts
Turquoise is one of the world's most ancient gem materials, prized by the ancient Egyptians and Native Americans for millennia.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive robin's-egg blue color and dark matrix webbing; found in arid mining districts like the southwestern USA, Iran, and China.
