1" Natural Polished Teal Turquoise Gemstone Mineral Specimen Cab

Location: Western Asia

Weight: 8 Grams

Dimensions: 1 Inch Long, 0.7 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches Thick 

The item pictured is one you will receive.

Overview of Turquoise

Turquoise is a unique opaque mineral known for its beautiful blue-to-green colors, made mostly of copper and aluminum. Its chemical makeup, CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O, classifies it as a hydrous phosphate. This gemstone has been treasured for thousands of years because of its special color and rarity, especially in the finest examples.

Historical Significance

The term “turquoise” originates from the Old French word “turquois,” meaning “Turkish,” as the mineral was first introduced to Europe through the Ottoman Empire. The gemstone has been known since antiquity; Pliny the Elder referred to it as “callais,” and it was recognized by the Aztecs as “chalchihuitl.” This historical context highlights turquoise’s long-standing cultural significance across various civilizations.

Turquoise – Physical Properties

Turquoise is a unique gemstone with several notable physical characteristics:

1. Color Variability: Turquoise ranges from white to powder blue, sky blue, blue-green, and yellowish-green. Its vibrant blue tones are primarily due to copper content, while iron impurities can produce green shades.

2. Hardness: With a Mohs hardness just under 6, Turquoise is softer than many gemstones but can still achieve a smooth, polished finish suitable for jewelry and carvings.

3. Luster and Transparency: It typically exhibits a waxy to subvitreous luster and is mostly opaque, though thin sections may appear semitranslucent.

4. Crystal Structure: Turquoise is a cryptocrystalline mineral with a triclinic crystal system. It rarely forms single crystals and often occurs in nodular or botryoidal formations.

These properties, combined with its distinctive color and historical significance, make Turquoise highly sought after for jewelry, decorative arts, and collector pieces.

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 can vary significantly based on quality factors such as color saturation, matrix presence (the veining or patterning), and origin. High-quality turquoise from regions like Western Asia is particularly prized for its vibrant robin egg blue color. However, market dynamics have changed due to treatments (such as dyeing), imitations (synthetic versions), and enhancements that can affect its perceived value.

In summary, turquoise remains a gemstone of great beauty and historical significance with unique properties that contribute to its desirability in jewelry and decorative arts.