mineral
Turquoise
Hydrated copper aluminum phosphate, CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
Mohs hardness: 5-6; Color: Blue, bluish-green, green; Luster: Waxy to subvitreous; Crystal system: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another; Specific gravity: 2.60-2.85
- Hardness
- 5-6
- Color
- Blue, bluish-green, green
- Luster
- Waxy to subvitreous
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: 5-6; Color: Blue, bluish-green, green; Luster: Waxy to subvitreous; Crystal system: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another; Specific gravity: 2.60-2.85
Formation & geological history
Forms as a secondary mineral in arid regions, typically by the action of meteoric waters percolating through copper-bearing aluminum-rich rocks.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a gemstone in jewelry, inlay work, and ornamental carvings.
Geological facts
Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in history, prized by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Persians, and Native Americans for amulets and ornamentation.
Field identification & locations
Easily recognized by its characteristic robin's egg blue or greenish-blue color, often webbed with dark matrix lines. Found globally in arid mining districts.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral