An article by Lee Anderson Turquoise consists of the chemical elements copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), phosphorus (PO4), and water (H2O). It is described as a “hydrous basic aluminum phosphate of copper” or a “hydrous aluminum phosphate colored by copper salts.” Its chemical formula is: CuAl6 (PO44)8 4H2O, although this varies widely. This molecular structure permits […]

An article by Lee Anderson  Hardness Turquoise is opaque and has a Mohs scale hardness that varies remarkably. The soft, deeply mined chalks may only slightly exceed 2 on the Mohs scale, whereas a hard, gem specimen may exceed 6. The hardness varies in response to several factors, including environment and matrix. The silicification process, […]

An article by Lee Anderson This article discusses various types of turquoise as they relate to the jewelry industry. Natural This turquoise comes directly from the mine. It is cut, shaped, polished, and set into jewelry. Perhaps it had only been drilled, polished, and suspended on a necklace. In any event, the stone has had […]

An article by Lee Anderson We could write pages on this and still not cover the subject. In the earliest of times — up to the late 1800s — certainly, the pure blue without matrix was considered the best. It was time-tested; if the color did not change it was “old rock”…in other words, a […]