One gemstone that is very popular is turquoise. Turqouise is a copper aluminum phosphate mineral that is found in locations that have a higher concentrations of copper. Turquoise is created from a variety of natural process and is found in areas that are arid in climate. Arid climate conditions are important in weathering and oxidation of copper deposits and producing the conditions that support the creation of turqouise.
Mineral Name
Turquoise
Chemical Formula
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
Specific Gravity
2.6 - 2.9
Moh's Hardness
5 to 6
Turqouise can also be created from hydrothermal actions, leaching and precipitation of surrounding copper deposits to form turqouise. Turqouise comes in variety of shades and such as blue-green and even green with flecks of grey caused by traces of iron and chrome.
The best quality turqouise is the "sky blue" or often called "robin egg" blue. Turqouise is found throughout the world, but comes primarily from the United States, Iran, Afghanistan, China and Mexico.
