mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale, vibrant blue-to-green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system with a white streak.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale, vibrant blue-to-green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system with a white streak.
Formation & geological history
Forms by the chemical action of percolating acidic aqueous solutions during the weathering and oxidation of copper-bearing minerals in arid climates.
Uses & applications
Widely utilized for high-end jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a prized collector mineral.
Geological facts
Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in history, famously used in ancient Egyptian burial jewelry and Native American artifacts.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive robin's-egg blue color and dark matrix web veins; commonly mined in the southwestern United States, Iran, and China.
