turquoise

     

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hyrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the market, some difficult to detect even by experts.

Trivia about turquoise

  • This blue or bluish-green stone often seen in Southwestern jewelry is a birthstone for December
  • A basic copper aluminum phosphate, it's the type of stone used here in an ancient Aztec ornament
  • This blue-green stone is the state gem of Arizona & New Mexico
  • The Aztecs showed their rank in society by wearing this bluish-green December birthstone
  • This phosphate popular in the jewelry of the Southwest U.S. derives its name from a Eurasian country
  • This rock seen here makes for a nice set of beads:
  • Some of the oldest-known mines for this decorative blue-green stone are in the Sinai Desert
  • This blue-green stone has been mined for centuries at Neyshabur in northern Iran
  • A small amount of copper in this state gemstone of New Mexico gives it its bluish color
  • This December birthstone is the state gem of Arizona & New Mexico
  • Seen here, a Navajo bracelet features this mineral
  • Native Americans believed this blue-green hydrous phosphate of aluminum & copper protected them
  • Often worn in the Southwest, this "bluish" stone is said to protect riders from falling off their horses
  • One of the gems for December, it's been mined a Cerillos, New Mexico for over 1,000 years
  • The name of this sky-blue stone, introduced into Europe during the Crusades, is from the Old French for "Turk"
  • The Aztecs prized this blue-green gemstone & a double-headed serpent mosaic of it is an icon of their art
  • Squash blossom necklaces made by the Zuni Indians often feature this bluish-green gem set in silver
  • Mines for this gemstone, like the "Lavender Pit" in Arizona, are always near copper mines
  • Ted was in Ankara when he learned this bluish hue's name was derived from a Western Asian republic

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