mineral
Turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 5 to 6, distinctive robin's egg blue to green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 5 to 6, distinctive robin's egg blue to green color, waxy to sub-vitreous luster, and triclinic crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms by the action of meteoric waters percolating through copper-bearing aluminum-rich rocks in arid climates.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a gemstone 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
Easily identified by its unique blue-green color and dark web-like matrix veins; found in major deposits in the USA, Iran, and China.
