Info: Turquoise is usualy opaque, it can be translucent only when thin. The gaps on the mineral surface are covered with brown to black limonite. Transparent turquoises are very rare. Turquoise is created secondary, from a water containing copper, aluminium and phosphor. It's usualy found in sedimentary rocks or in vulcanites like trachyte.
How to recognize: When heated it looses water and colour, it becomes darker to black. Turquoise cannot be melted and does not colours the flame in green as fake turquoises do.
Found: Turquoise was found in Nishapur (Iran), Egypt, Kazachstan, Uzbekistan, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona (USA) and in Germany. In Czech Republic Turquoise was found in Podkrkonoší.
Used for: In jewelery.
| Crystal structure |
| Triclinic |
| Hardness |
| 5 - 7 |
| Color |
| Blue, blue-green, green |
| Luster |
| Waxy to subvitreus |
