1.1" Natural Polished Teal Turquoise Gemstone Mineral Specimen Cab

Location: Western Asia

Weight: 7.2 Grams

Dimensions: 1.1 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide, 0.3 Inches Thick 

The item pictured is one you will receive.

Overview of Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque mineral that exhibits a blue-to-green color, primarily composed of copper and aluminum. Its chemical formula is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O, indicating that it is a hydrous phosphate. This gemstone has been highly valued for thousands of years due to its distinctive hue and rarity, especially in finer grades.

Historical Significance

“Turquoise” traces back to the Old French “turquois,” meaning “Turkish,” since this striking gem first stormed into Europe via the Ottoman Empire. Known since ancient times—Pliny the Elder dubbed it “callais,” and the Aztecs prized it as “chalchihuitl”—this gemstone’s fierce legacy cuts across civilizations, proving its timeless cultural power.

Properties of Turquoise

Turquoise possesses several notable physical properties:

• Color Variability: The color can range from white to powder blue, sky blue, blue-green, and even yellowish green. The blue coloration is primarily due to copper content, while iron impurities can lead to green hues.
• Hardness: On the Mohs scale, turquoise has a hardness of just under 6, which makes it softer than many other gemstones but still capable of taking a good polish.
• Luster and Transparency: It typically exhibits a waxy to subvitreous luster and is usually opaque, although some thin sections may be semitranslucent.
• Crystal Structure: Turquoise is classified as a cryptocrystalline mineral with a triclinic crystal system. It rarely forms single crystals; instead, it often appears in nodular or botryoidal forms.

Formation Process

The formation of turquoise deposits involves several geological processes:

1. Hydrothermal Activity: Initially, hydrothermal fluids leach copper from host rocks—typically calc-alkaline intrusions rich in silica.
2. Copper Deposition: The leached copper is redeposited in concentrated forms within fractures and joints in the rock.
3. Meteoric Water Interaction: As meteoric water (from rain or snowmelt) infiltrates these deposits, it oxidizes the copper minerals present, leading to the formation of turquoise as a secondary mineral.

This process indicates that turquoise does not occur in its original form within copper porphyry but rather develops later through environmental interactions.

Market Value and Treatments

Turquoise’s value depends on color saturation, matrix patterns (veining), and origin. High-quality stones, particularly from Western Asia, are prized for their vivid robin’s egg blue. However, modern treatments, synthetic imitations, and enhancements can affect its market value and authenticity.

Conclusion:
With its unique properties, striking color, and rich historical background, Turquoise remains a highly desirable gemstone for jewelry, carvings, and decorative arts, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.