Turquoise is an opaque mineral containing copper that gives it a distinctive blue color. It has the chemical composition of hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. Turquoise forms in the secondary environment through the decomposition of aluminum and copper minerals in host rocks, resulting in turquoise veins. It has been valued for its attractive blue color since ancient times in cultures like Egypt and Mesoamerica.

1. TURQUOISETURQUOISE
 An idiochromatic opaque mineralAn idiochromatic opaque mineral
containing copper.containing copper.
 Its eye catching ble colour is due toIts eye catching ble colour is due to
copper rich is an essential constituent ofcopper rich is an essential constituent of
the mineral.the mineral.

4.  Chemical composition- HydratedChemical composition- Hydrated
Phosphate of Copper and AluminiumPhosphate of Copper and Aluminium
CuAl6(OH)8(PO4)4 4H2OCuAl6(OH)8(PO4)4 4H2O
 Crystal system—triclinic.Crystal system—triclinic.

5.  The name turquoise is derived fromThe name turquoise is derived from
‘Turkey’, although they were not found‘Turkey’, although they were not found
there, but only traded the stones mined inthere, but only traded the stones mined in
Iran for centuries.Iran for centuries.
 Hardness=5-6Hardness=5-6

6.  Specific Gravity=2.6-2.83Specific Gravity=2.6-2.83
 Refractive Index= 1.62Refractive Index= 1.62
 Lustre= waxy or resinous.Lustre= waxy or resinous.

7.  It had a specific appeal to early cultureIt had a specific appeal to early culture
such as Egyptians and Mesoamericanssuch as Egyptians and Mesoamericans
due to its enchanting blue colour.due to its enchanting blue colour.
 Known to humans as early as 2000BCKnown to humans as early as 2000BC
 Turquoise was regarded as “Stone of theTurquoise was regarded as “Stone of the
sky Gods”.sky Gods”.

8.  Isolated crystals of turquoise are extremelyIsolated crystals of turquoise are extremely
rare. Usually found in cryptocrystalline formrare. Usually found in cryptocrystalline form
occurring as compact massive chunks of theoccurring as compact massive chunks of the
disseminated as encrustation in thedisseminated as encrustation in the
decomposed rocks.decomposed rocks.
 Also found in statistic, Reni form, andAlso found in statistic, Reni form, and
concretionary habit.concretionary habit.

9.  Thin seams or network of turquoise inThin seams or network of turquoise in
matrix of rock appear quite alternative.matrix of rock appear quite alternative.
 Robin’s egg blue turquoise is highly valid.Robin’s egg blue turquoise is highly valid.
 Sometimes Al may be replaced by Fe+3 toSometimes Al may be replaced by Fe+3 to
give greenish colour, which is not muchgive greenish colour, which is not much
preferred.preferred.

10.  The depth of colour reduces in porousThe depth of colour reduces in porous
material. On exposure to atmosphere,material. On exposure to atmosphere,
such porous turquoise may fade andsuch porous turquoise may fade and
develop cracks.develop cracks.
 Inclusions of pyrite, limonite, feldspar areInclusions of pyrite, limonite, feldspar are
commonly noted.commonly noted.

11.  Stones of turquoise with a network of darkStones of turquoise with a network of dark
veins are described as “spider webveins are described as “spider web
turquoise”. Some consider perfect blueturquoise”. Some consider perfect blue
stones as “male” and Greenish asstones as “male” and Greenish as
“female”.“female”.
 Turquoise never occurs in transparentTurquoise never occurs in transparent
form.form.

12.  The amount of crystallinity varies fromThe amount of crystallinity varies from
specimen to specimen.specimen to specimen.
 The colour of porous turquoise is palesThe colour of porous turquoise is pales
and are impregnated with colourand are impregnated with colour
wax/paraffin/plastic to improve colour. Butwax/paraffin/plastic to improve colour. But
it is considered unethical.it is considered unethical.

13.  Those occurring in disseminated form,Those occurring in disseminated form,
patches are separated from the rock andpatches are separated from the rock and
are bound and reconstructed to a massiveare bound and reconstructed to a massive
lump by using polystyrene re sin orlump by using polystyrene re sin or
sodium silicate. This type is calledsodium silicate. This type is called
“bounded” or “reconstructed turquoise”.“bounded” or “reconstructed turquoise”.

14.  Test recommended to see porosity degree---Test recommended to see porosity degree---
place a drop of hot water on the stone andplace a drop of hot water on the stone and
observe absorbance.observe absorbance.
 There are numerousThere are numerous simulantssimulants for turquoises. Asfor turquoises. As
it is opaque stone, whose main asset is, itsit is opaque stone, whose main asset is, its
colour, it is easier to create glass, enamel,colour, it is easier to create glass, enamel,
porcelain and highly compressed variousporcelain and highly compressed various
powders including plaster of Paris.powders including plaster of Paris.

15.  Natural stones like chalcedony and chertNatural stones like chalcedony and chert
are dyed to imitate turquoise. Someare dyed to imitate turquoise. Some
naturally coloured minerals resemblenaturally coloured minerals resemble
turquoise.turquoise.
Example : Amezonestone, chrysocolla, etcExample : Amezonestone, chrysocolla, etc

16.  Turquoise is a mineral of secondary origin, andTurquoise is a mineral of secondary origin, and
is found in rock types that have undergoneis found in rock types that have undergone
extensive alteration. The decomposition of Al-extensive alteration. The decomposition of Al-
minerals and some amount of Cu-minerals mayminerals and some amount of Cu-minerals may
result in deposition of turquoise vein withinresult in deposition of turquoise vein within
parent rock.parent rock.
 There are no reports of turquoise in India.There are no reports of turquoise in India.