mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
Hardness: 5-6 on the Mohs scale; Color: Bright blue, bluish-green, to yellowish-green; Luster: Waxy to sub-vitreous; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another (rarely seen as crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.60-2.90
- Hardness
- 5-6 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Bright blue, bluish-green, to yellowish-green
- Luster
- Waxy to sub-vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-6 on the Mohs scale; Color: Bright blue, bluish-green, to yellowish-green; Luster: Waxy to sub-vitreous; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another (rarely seen as crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.60-2.90
Formation & geological history
Formed by the action of descending meteoric waters percolating through copper-bearing aluminum rocks, typically in arid or desert climates.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, inlay work, and highly valued by collectors.
Geological facts
Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in history, prized by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Native Americans, and Persians for its protective and ornamental qualities.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive robin's-egg blue or greenish-blue color often webbed with dark matrix lines. Commonly found in the southwestern United States, Iran, China, and Sinai.
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