Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth: dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum. The result of this sedimentary process is a porous, semitranslucent to opaque compound of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate.
4,000 BC
Turquoise buried in Ancient Egyptian tombs is among the world’s oldest jewelry.
Mefkat
Ancient Egyptians called turquoise “mefkat,” which also means “joy” and “delight.”
1519
Montezuma, thinking Cortes was Quetzalcoatl, gave him the god’s favorite gem: turquoise.
Facts
- Mineral: Turquoise
- Chemistry: CuAl6(PO4)4 ·(OH)8 ·5H2O
- Color: Blue to green
- Refractive Index: 1.610 to 1.650
- Birefringence: Not detectable
- Specific Gravity: 2.76 (+0.14, -0.36)
- Mohs Hardness: 5 to 6