Post by 1dave on Jul 3, 2018 2:48:13 GMT -5
www.minerals.net/mineral/turquoise.aspx
The Mineral turquoise
Turquoise is an antique ornamental stone, highly regarded for its unique and striking namesake color. Valued in both the ancient Persian and Native American civilizations, it still retains its popularity today. Turquoise specimens are often polished or sliced for collectors, and may even be dyed. Turquoise is porous and has a naturally waxy luster; it is sometimes impregnated with a plastic lubricant for to enhance its luster and increase its stability. Many Turquoise fakes exist. The most prevalent is white Howlite dyed blue to resemble Turquoise.
Turquoise often contains embedded shiny Pyrite flakes, or may contain black oxide veins running through it. It is sometimes intergrown together with other secondary copper materials, especially Chrysocolla. Turquoise may also form as a pseudomorph of other minerals such as Apatite, Beryl, and feldspars.
For additional information, see the gemstone section on Turquoise.
Chemical Formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 • 4H2O
Composition Hydrous basic copper aluminum phosphate
Color Turquoise-blue, sky-blue, bluish-green, apple-green
Streak White
Hardness 5 - 6
Crystal System Triclinic
3D Crystal Atlas
(Click for animated model)
Triclinic Turquoise
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates Most often nodular, massive, concretionary, botryoidal, and reniform. May also be in veins, in cauliflower-shaped masses, in rounded balls, as crusts, and in stalactitic form. Turquoise crystals are very rare and limited to a few specific localities, where they are found as tiny drusy crystals within thin crusts and in rosette forms.
VARIETIES
Eilat Stone
- Greenish-blue mixture of Chrysocolla, Turquoise and other copper minerals such as Malachite from the copper mines near Eilat in Israel.
Kingman Turquoise
- Turquoise from the Mineral Park Mine near Kingman, Arizona, known for its good color.
USES
Turquoise is an important gemstone. Its bright color has afforded it important gem use throughout several ancient civilizations, and today it remains an important yet affordable gemstone. Turquoise gemstones are usually cabochons and beads, but may also be ornate carvings of animals and flowers. Turquoise specimens are also popular among mineral collectors, and the crystallized form from Virginia is especially highly desired and valuable.
NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES
Though Turquoise is found worldwide, the vast majority of Turquoise originates from the southwestern United States. However, one of the most important and classic localities is Nishapur, Iran, where Turquoise has been mined since the ancient Persians. Other historical localities for Turquoise are Serabit el-Khadim in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt; and Eilat, Israel, where it is associated with Chrysocolla and called "Eilat Stone". Mexico has several important Turquoise localities, including odd pseudomorphs after Apatite in Cananea and Baviacora, Sonora.
In the U.S., huge nodular Turquoise masses come from several areas in Lander Co., Nevada, especially at the Cortez and Bullion Districts. Ball-like microcrystal aggregates come from the Silver Coin Mine, Valmy, Humboldt Co., Nevada; and a rare Turquiose pseudomorph after Beryl was found in the Apache Canyon Mine, near Baker, San Bernardino Co., California. Turquoise of excellent color and quality is well known at Kingman, Mohave Co., Arizona, where rare tiny crystals were also recently found in drusy habit. Other important Turquoise deposits include the Copper Cities Mine, Globe-Miami District, Gila Co., Arizona; the No. 8 Mine, Lynn District, Eureka Co., Nevada; and the Bingham Canyon Mine, Salt Lake Co., Utah. The best and most apparent crystals of Turquoise, in the form of visible microcrystals, come from Lynch Station, Campbell Co., Virginia.
COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS
Quartz, Pyrite, Limonite, Chrysocolla, Variscite, Wavellite, Malachite
DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS
Turquoise may be very similar and very difficult to distinguish from Variscite, though Variscite is usually greener. Chrysocolla may also be similar though it is lower in hardness and usually has a more vitreous luster.
www.minerals.net/gemstone/turquoise_gemstone.aspx
The Gemstone Turquoise
Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, and has been highly regarded in many of the world's civilizations. Among the ancient empires it is best known among the Persian and Native American civilizations, where it was the most popular ornamental gemstone. Turquoise today remains a popular gemstone, and is one of the most important opaque gemstones. It is highly regarded due to its unique turquoise-blue color, and is the only gemstone to have an exclusive color named after it.
ALL ABOUT
The word Turquoise dates back to the 17th century, when trading routes brought Turquoise from Persia through the Middle East towards Europe. The traders passed through Turkey, known as "Turquie" in French, and the locals named the material "Turquies" ("Turkish") in reference to its coming from Turkey.
Turquoise can come in different shades of blue or green, and is commonly veined or mottled with brown or black oxides or a sandstone base. Some prefer this color veining, while others prefer a solid-colored stone. The best color in Turquoise is a solid, deep turquoise-blue hue. Greenish colors are less desirable and are not usually used as gemstones. Turquoise may occasionally also be mixed together with green Malachite or Chrysocolla, causing blue and green mottled gemstones.
Turquoise is a porous gemstone and is thus easily dyed. The dying is done to enhance the blue from more greenish or mottled stones. Dyed stones can eventually wear off their enhanced colors over the years, or when exposed to certain chemicals or solutions. The luster of Turquoise is often dull, and it is therefore very common for certain dealers to impregnate or coat the Turquoise with a a plastic lubricant or wax to enhance its luster. Due to the common practice of dying and enhancing Turquoise, this gemstone especially should only be purchased from reputable dealers who fully disclose all information.
The porous nature of Turquoise makes it more easily affected by oils and cleaners. Because of this, Turquoise gemstones should not be washed with anything other than water. Turquoise is also a relatively soft gemstone, and extra care should be exercised to prevent it from scratching.
USES
Turquoise is among the most popular bead gemstones, and Turquoise bead bracelets and necklaces are also extensively used. Tumbled rough Turquoise gemstones may also be stranded into rings and necklaces. Turquoise is frequently cut and polished into cabochons, and can be used as large pendant stones and in rings. Ornate carvings are occasionally carved from Turquoise, and cameos and scarabs are also used. Turquoise remains an extremely important gemstone among Native Americans, and is by far the most popular gemstone in that culture. It is used in all forms of tribal jewelry, often associated with Silver.
VARIETIES
Eilat Stone - Greenish-blue mixture of Chrysocolla, Turquoise and other copper minerals such as Malachite from the copper mines near Eilat, Israel.
Kingman Turquoise - Turquoise from the Mineral Park Mine near Kingman, Arizona, known for its good color.
Navajo Turquoise - Turquoise from the American Southwest, especially Arizona, that contains black or brown patterns or spots throughout.
Persian Turquoise - High quality Turquoise from the ancient deposits of Iran, especially at Nishapur. More commonly refers to pure Turqoise without any black or brown veins or embedded matrix.
FALSE NAMES
Bone Turquoise, Fossil Turquoise, Occidental Turquoise, and Turquoise Odontolite are all synonyms of Odontolite.
Turquoise TREATMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS
Turquoise is frequently lubricated with oils or waxes to enhance its color and luster, and sometimes also to increase its durability. Another practice often applied to Turquoise is dyeing. Lighter colored stones as well as greenish hued Turquoise can easily be dyed a deeper blue color due to its porous and absorbent nature. Other materials, especially white Howlite and Chalcedony are occasionally dyed blue as an artificial simulant of Turquoise.
Turquoise SOURCES
Traditional sources included Iran, Israel, Egypt, and the American Southwest. Today, Turquoise is mined chiefly in Iran, Afghanistan, China, Australia, Chile, Mexico, and in the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada.
SIMILAR GEMSTONES
Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue color, and Variscite and Amazonite are greener as well as softer. Chrysocolla is softer, and Smithsonite and Hemimorphite are rarely used as gemstones.
The Mineral turquoise
Turquoise is an antique ornamental stone, highly regarded for its unique and striking namesake color. Valued in both the ancient Persian and Native American civilizations, it still retains its popularity today. Turquoise specimens are often polished or sliced for collectors, and may even be dyed. Turquoise is porous and has a naturally waxy luster; it is sometimes impregnated with a plastic lubricant for to enhance its luster and increase its stability. Many Turquoise fakes exist. The most prevalent is white Howlite dyed blue to resemble Turquoise.
Turquoise often contains embedded shiny Pyrite flakes, or may contain black oxide veins running through it. It is sometimes intergrown together with other secondary copper materials, especially Chrysocolla. Turquoise may also form as a pseudomorph of other minerals such as Apatite, Beryl, and feldspars.
For additional information, see the gemstone section on Turquoise.
Chemical Formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 • 4H2O
Composition Hydrous basic copper aluminum phosphate
Color Turquoise-blue, sky-blue, bluish-green, apple-green
Streak White
Hardness 5 - 6
Crystal System Triclinic
3D Crystal Atlas
(Click for animated model)
Triclinic Turquoise
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates Most often nodular, massive, concretionary, botryoidal, and reniform. May also be in veins, in cauliflower-shaped masses, in rounded balls, as crusts, and in stalactitic form. Turquoise crystals are very rare and limited to a few specific localities, where they are found as tiny drusy crystals within thin crusts and in rosette forms.
VARIETIES
Eilat Stone
- Greenish-blue mixture of Chrysocolla, Turquoise and other copper minerals such as Malachite from the copper mines near Eilat in Israel.
Kingman Turquoise
- Turquoise from the Mineral Park Mine near Kingman, Arizona, known for its good color.
USES
Turquoise is an important gemstone. Its bright color has afforded it important gem use throughout several ancient civilizations, and today it remains an important yet affordable gemstone. Turquoise gemstones are usually cabochons and beads, but may also be ornate carvings of animals and flowers. Turquoise specimens are also popular among mineral collectors, and the crystallized form from Virginia is especially highly desired and valuable.
NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES
Though Turquoise is found worldwide, the vast majority of Turquoise originates from the southwestern United States. However, one of the most important and classic localities is Nishapur, Iran, where Turquoise has been mined since the ancient Persians. Other historical localities for Turquoise are Serabit el-Khadim in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt; and Eilat, Israel, where it is associated with Chrysocolla and called "Eilat Stone". Mexico has several important Turquoise localities, including odd pseudomorphs after Apatite in Cananea and Baviacora, Sonora.
In the U.S., huge nodular Turquoise masses come from several areas in Lander Co., Nevada, especially at the Cortez and Bullion Districts. Ball-like microcrystal aggregates come from the Silver Coin Mine, Valmy, Humboldt Co., Nevada; and a rare Turquiose pseudomorph after Beryl was found in the Apache Canyon Mine, near Baker, San Bernardino Co., California. Turquoise of excellent color and quality is well known at Kingman, Mohave Co., Arizona, where rare tiny crystals were also recently found in drusy habit. Other important Turquoise deposits include the Copper Cities Mine, Globe-Miami District, Gila Co., Arizona; the No. 8 Mine, Lynn District, Eureka Co., Nevada; and the Bingham Canyon Mine, Salt Lake Co., Utah. The best and most apparent crystals of Turquoise, in the form of visible microcrystals, come from Lynch Station, Campbell Co., Virginia.
COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS
Quartz, Pyrite, Limonite, Chrysocolla, Variscite, Wavellite, Malachite
DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS
Turquoise may be very similar and very difficult to distinguish from Variscite, though Variscite is usually greener. Chrysocolla may also be similar though it is lower in hardness and usually has a more vitreous luster.
www.minerals.net/gemstone/turquoise_gemstone.aspx
The Gemstone Turquoise
Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, and has been highly regarded in many of the world's civilizations. Among the ancient empires it is best known among the Persian and Native American civilizations, where it was the most popular ornamental gemstone. Turquoise today remains a popular gemstone, and is one of the most important opaque gemstones. It is highly regarded due to its unique turquoise-blue color, and is the only gemstone to have an exclusive color named after it.
ALL ABOUT
The word Turquoise dates back to the 17th century, when trading routes brought Turquoise from Persia through the Middle East towards Europe. The traders passed through Turkey, known as "Turquie" in French, and the locals named the material "Turquies" ("Turkish") in reference to its coming from Turkey.
Turquoise can come in different shades of blue or green, and is commonly veined or mottled with brown or black oxides or a sandstone base. Some prefer this color veining, while others prefer a solid-colored stone. The best color in Turquoise is a solid, deep turquoise-blue hue. Greenish colors are less desirable and are not usually used as gemstones. Turquoise may occasionally also be mixed together with green Malachite or Chrysocolla, causing blue and green mottled gemstones.
Turquoise is a porous gemstone and is thus easily dyed. The dying is done to enhance the blue from more greenish or mottled stones. Dyed stones can eventually wear off their enhanced colors over the years, or when exposed to certain chemicals or solutions. The luster of Turquoise is often dull, and it is therefore very common for certain dealers to impregnate or coat the Turquoise with a a plastic lubricant or wax to enhance its luster. Due to the common practice of dying and enhancing Turquoise, this gemstone especially should only be purchased from reputable dealers who fully disclose all information.
The porous nature of Turquoise makes it more easily affected by oils and cleaners. Because of this, Turquoise gemstones should not be washed with anything other than water. Turquoise is also a relatively soft gemstone, and extra care should be exercised to prevent it from scratching.
USES
Turquoise is among the most popular bead gemstones, and Turquoise bead bracelets and necklaces are also extensively used. Tumbled rough Turquoise gemstones may also be stranded into rings and necklaces. Turquoise is frequently cut and polished into cabochons, and can be used as large pendant stones and in rings. Ornate carvings are occasionally carved from Turquoise, and cameos and scarabs are also used. Turquoise remains an extremely important gemstone among Native Americans, and is by far the most popular gemstone in that culture. It is used in all forms of tribal jewelry, often associated with Silver.
VARIETIES
Eilat Stone - Greenish-blue mixture of Chrysocolla, Turquoise and other copper minerals such as Malachite from the copper mines near Eilat, Israel.
Kingman Turquoise - Turquoise from the Mineral Park Mine near Kingman, Arizona, known for its good color.
Navajo Turquoise - Turquoise from the American Southwest, especially Arizona, that contains black or brown patterns or spots throughout.
Persian Turquoise - High quality Turquoise from the ancient deposits of Iran, especially at Nishapur. More commonly refers to pure Turqoise without any black or brown veins or embedded matrix.
FALSE NAMES
Bone Turquoise, Fossil Turquoise, Occidental Turquoise, and Turquoise Odontolite are all synonyms of Odontolite.
Turquoise TREATMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS
Turquoise is frequently lubricated with oils or waxes to enhance its color and luster, and sometimes also to increase its durability. Another practice often applied to Turquoise is dyeing. Lighter colored stones as well as greenish hued Turquoise can easily be dyed a deeper blue color due to its porous and absorbent nature. Other materials, especially white Howlite and Chalcedony are occasionally dyed blue as an artificial simulant of Turquoise.
Turquoise SOURCES
Traditional sources included Iran, Israel, Egypt, and the American Southwest. Today, Turquoise is mined chiefly in Iran, Afghanistan, China, Australia, Chile, Mexico, and in the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada.
SIMILAR GEMSTONES
Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue color, and Variscite and Amazonite are greener as well as softer. Chrysocolla is softer, and Smithsonite and Hemimorphite are rarely used as gemstones.
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