Turquoise
Azure sky, robin’s egg blue: Vivid shades of turquoise define the color that’s named after this gem.
Overview
About Turquoise
Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth: dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum. The result of this sedimentary process is a porous, semitranslucent to opaque compound of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate.
Turquoise Description
Turquoise History and Lore
About Turquoise
Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for the month of December and the gem of the 11th anniversary.
4,000 BC
Turquoise buried in Ancient Egyptian tombs is among the world’s oldest jewelry.
Mefkat
Ancient Egyptians called turquoise “mefkat,” which also means “joy” and “delight.”
1519
Montezuma, thinking Cortes was Quetzalcoatl, gave him the god’s favorite gem: turquoise.
Facts
Mineral: Turquoise
Chemistry: CuAl6(PO4)4 ·(OH)8 ·5H2O
Color: Blue to green
Refractive Index: 1.610 to 1.650
Birefringence: Not detectable
Specific Gravity: 2.76 (+0.14, -0.36)
Mohs Hardness: 5 to 6
About Turquoise
Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth: dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum. The result of this sedimentary process is a porous, semitranslucent to opaque compound of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate.
Turquoise Description
Turquoise History and Lore
About Turquoise
Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for the month of December and the gem of the 11th anniversary.