mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 5-6, distinctive robin's egg blue to green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 5-6, distinctive robin's egg blue to green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms as a secondary mineral in arid regions through the weathering and oxidation of copper-bearing rocks.
Uses & applications
Extensively used as a gemstone in jewelry, inlay work, and ornamental carvings.
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
Easily identified by its unique blue color and dark matrix webbing; found globally in arid mining districts.
