TURQUOISE

turquoise

Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CM (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

Species: Turquoise
Mohs Hardness: 5 to 6 out of 10
Color: Light to medium blue, greenish blue to green. Sometimes mottled, and might show dark patches or veins of matrix, often slightly recessed beneath the polished surface.
RI: 1.610 to 1.650 (usually a 1.61 spot reading)
SR/DR/AGG: AGG
Spectrum: Occasionally shows weak to medium bands at 420 and 432nm (432nm band is stronger). Might also show a weak band at 460nm.
Fluorescence: Inert to weak greenish yellow under LW. Inert to SW.
SG: 2.74 (+0.14 / -0.36)

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turquoise facts

Vintage silver brooch featuring turquoise & green turquoise set in a crescent motif

Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CM (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

Turquoise is a very popular, opaque gem that ranges in color from greenish blue to blue-green, to green, often containing natural matrix.

Matrix refers to the natural host rock in turquoise. The amount of matrix present in turquoise varies from none at all to the very attractive, spiderweb turquoise.

Turquoise is one of the first gems used for personal decoration, used by Egyptian rulers as far back as 5500 BC.

King Tutankhamen's funeral mask contained a turquoise inlay.

Turquoise is used in all types of jewelry, ranging from top tier designer pieces to handmade, Southwestern Navajo jewelry.

Turquoise is a December birthstone and is the 11th wedding anniversary gemstone.

turquoise

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