12 Facts About Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula 48·4H2O.

Turquoise is nearly always cryptocrystalline and massive and assumes no definite external shape.

Turquoise is distinguished from chrysocolla, the only common mineral with similar properties, by its greater hardness.

Turquoise is a secondary or supergene mineral, not present in the original copper porphyry.

Turquoise was among the first gems to be mined, and many historic sites have been depleted, though some are still worked to this day.

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Turquoise is found in sandstone that is, or was originally, overlain by basalt.

Turquoise occurs as vein or seam fillings, and as compact nuggets; these are mostly small in size.

Turquoise, associated with the goddess Hathor, was so liked by the Ancient Egyptians that it became the first gemstone to be imitated, the fair structure created by an artificial glazed ceramic product known as faience.

Turquoise, already favoured for its pastel shades since around 1810, was a staple of Egyptian Revival pieces.

Turquoise is treated to enhance both its colour and durability .

Turquoise is treated in many different ways, some more permanent and radical than others.

Turquoise can be adversely affected if stored in an airtight container.