Difference between revisions of "Turquoise"

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[[File:99.109-37-18.jpg|thumb|]]
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[[File:99.109-37-18.jpg|thumb|Roman cameo<br>MFA# 99.109]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:2004.2219-SC138132.jpg|thumb|Navajo bracelet<br>MFA# 2004.2219]]
 
An opaque sky-blue semiprecious gemstone. Turquoise is composed of a hydrated basic copper aluminum phosphate mineral. It was used for beads as early as 5000 BE in Mesopotamia. Major deposits were worked in Iran (Nishapur, Juh-e Zar, Kuh-i-Firouzeh) and on the Sinai Peninsula. Turquoise is also found in Siberia, Turkestan, Germany (Saxony), France, England (Cornwall), Australia and the U.S.(Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, New Mexico). Turquoise can be blue, greenish blue or green with inclusions of red sandstone. Turquoise is used for cabochon jewelry, inlays, beads and small carvings.
 
An opaque sky-blue semiprecious gemstone. Turquoise is composed of a hydrated basic copper aluminum phosphate mineral. It was used for beads as early as 5000 BE in Mesopotamia. Major deposits were worked in Iran (Nishapur, Juh-e Zar, Kuh-i-Firouzeh) and on the Sinai Peninsula. Turquoise is also found in Siberia, Turkestan, Germany (Saxony), France, England (Cornwall), Australia and the U.S.(Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, New Mexico). Turquoise can be blue, greenish blue or green with inclusions of red sandstone. Turquoise is used for cabochon jewelry, inlays, beads and small carvings.
  
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[[File:2004.2219-SC138132.jpg|thumb|]]
 
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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[[File:Turquoisef5.jpg|thumb|Turquoise stone]]
 
turqoius; calliana; callais; Mecca stones; Türkis (Deut.); turquesa (Esp., Port.); turquoise (Fr.); turkoise (Ned.)
 
turqoius; calliana; callais; Mecca stones; Türkis (Deut.); turquesa (Esp., Port.); turquoise (Fr.); turkoise (Ned.)
  
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== Other Properties ==
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== Risks ==
  
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Triclinic system, opaque, dense, cryptocrystalline to fine-grain massive.    
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Stone can discolor to green with wear or contact with oils and grease
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[[[SliderGallery rightalign|Turquoise, Reyston NV.PNG~IR (MFA)|Turquoise Raman.jpg~Raman (MFA)]]]
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Fracture is conchoidal. Luster = waxy. Streak = white to pale-green.  
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==Physical and Chemical Properties==
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* Soluble in hot hydrochloric acid
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Soluble in hot hydrochloric acid.
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* Triclinic system; crystals are opaque, dense, cryptocrystalline or fine-grain massive; often mottled    
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* Fracture = conchoidal  
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* Luster = waxy to subvitreous
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* Streak = white to pale green/blue  
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* Fluorescence = inert to weak greenish-yellow in LW; inert in SW
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* Pleochroism = none to weak
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
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| 2.6-2.9
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| 2.6-2.9 g/ml
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
| 1.61; 1.62; 1.65
 
| 1.61; 1.62; 1.65
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|-
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! scope="row"| Birefringence
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| 0.04
 
|}
 
|}
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[[File:Turquoisef5.jpg|thumb|Turquoise stone]]
 
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== Hazards and Safety ==
 
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Stone can discolor to green with wear or contact with oils and grease
 
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== Additional Information ==
 
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Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Turquoise.shtml Turquoise]
 
  
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
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[[media:download_file_442.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
 
[[media:download_file_442.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
  
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==Resources and Citations==
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* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Turquoise.shtml Turquoise]
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== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==
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* Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
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* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
 
* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
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* R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, ''Rocks, Fossils and Gems'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
 
* R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, ''Rocks, Fossils and Gems'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
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* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
 
* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "turquoise" [Accessed September 19, 2003].
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "turquoise" Encyclopædia Britannica.  [Accessed September 19, 2003].
 
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* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
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* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise Turquoise] (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005 and Dec 2022)
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* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005)
 
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* ''Encyclopedia of Archaeology'', Glyn E. Daniel, ed., Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York, 1977
 
* ''Encyclopedia of Archaeology'', Glyn E. Daniel, ed., Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York, 1977
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 833
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 833
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* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
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* Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
 
* Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  

Latest revision as of 16:04, 17 December 2022

Roman cameo
MFA# 99.109

Description

Navajo bracelet
MFA# 2004.2219

An opaque sky-blue semiprecious gemstone. Turquoise is composed of a hydrated basic copper aluminum phosphate mineral. It was used for beads as early as 5000 BE in Mesopotamia. Major deposits were worked in Iran (Nishapur, Juh-e Zar, Kuh-i-Firouzeh) and on the Sinai Peninsula. Turquoise is also found in Siberia, Turkestan, Germany (Saxony), France, England (Cornwall), Australia and the U.S.(Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, New Mexico). Turquoise can be blue, greenish blue or green with inclusions of red sandstone. Turquoise is used for cabochon jewelry, inlays, beads and small carvings.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Turquoise stone

turqoius; calliana; callais; Mecca stones; Türkis (Deut.); turquesa (Esp., Port.); turquoise (Fr.); turkoise (Ned.)

Risks

Stone can discolor to green with wear or contact with oils and grease

IR (MFA)

Turquoise, Reyston NV.PNG

Raman (MFA)

Turquoise Raman.jpg

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Soluble in hot hydrochloric acid
  • Triclinic system; crystals are opaque, dense, cryptocrystalline or fine-grain massive; often mottled
  • Fracture = conchoidal
  • Luster = waxy to subvitreous
  • Streak = white to pale green/blue
  • Fluorescence = inert to weak greenish-yellow in LW; inert in SW
  • Pleochroism = none to weak
Composition CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 - 4H2O
Mohs Hardness 5 - 6
Density 2.6-2.9 g/ml
Refractive Index 1.61; 1.62; 1.65
Birefringence 0.04

Comparisons

Properties of Common Gemstones

Resources and Citations

  • Mineralogy Database: Turquoise
  • Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
  • Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
  • R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, Rocks, Fossils and Gems, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
  • A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "turquoise" [Accessed September 19, 2003].
  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Wikipedia: Turquoise (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005 and Dec 2022)
  • Encyclopedia of Archaeology, Glyn E. Daniel, ed., Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York, 1977
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 833
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979

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