Natural Turquoise is yet another valuable gem from the phosphate mineral family, prized for its calming sky-blue to blue-green hue and time-honored status as a symbol of protection and truth.
The word Turquoise traces back to the French turques (“Turkish stone”) because the first specimens entered Europe through trade routes that crossed Turkey.
Chemically, it’s a hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate; tiny shifts in copper, iron, or zinc content nudge its color from robin-egg blue to teal or olive green.
Significant deposits lie in Iran, the American Southwest, China, and Egypt, and over the centuries the gem has been revered for safeguarding travelers, inspiring honest speech, and drawing in good fortune.
The most popular varieties of turquoise stone include Persian Turquoise, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Kingman Turquoise, and Tibetan Turquoise. Check out other various forms of this beautifully versatile stone in our collection of real turquoise stone online.
Characteristics of Turquoise ↓
Common Name: Turquoise
Group: Phosphate minerals
Chemical Formula: CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O
Crystal System: Triclinic microcrystals, massive habit
Color: Sky-blue, teal, green to yellow-green with or without dark matrix
Mohs Hardness: 5 – 6
Transparency: Opaque to semi-opaque
Luster: Waxy to sub-vitreous
Cleavage: Poor, often massive
Streak: Bluish white
Typical Effects: Spider-web matrix, iron “ochre” veining, or solid color slabs