mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 5 to 6; distinct blue to green color with a waxy luster; triclinic crystal system; specific gravity of 2.6 to 2.8.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 5 to 6; distinct blue to green color with a waxy luster; triclinic crystal system; specific gravity of 2.6 to 2.8.
Formation & geological history
Forms by the chemical action of descending acidic ground water percolating through copper-bearing rocks in arid climates.
Uses & applications
Widely 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
Identified by its unique robin-egg blue color and dark web-like matrix veins; found extensively in the southwestern United States, Iran, and China.
