Turquoise
Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones, traded and treasured for 3,000+ years. The US Southwest produces the world's finest turquoise — Arizona and Nevada mines supply the global market. Natural, untreated turquoise (especially from closed mines like Bisbee and Sleeping Beauty) commands huge premiums. Most commercial turquoise is stabilized with resin.
Physical Properties
Chemical Formula
CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O
Hardness (Mohs)
5–6
Color
Sky blue, blue-green, green
Luster
Waxy to dull
Crystal System
Triclinic (rarely visible crystals)
Streak
White to greenish
Cleavage
Perfect (but rarely seen)
Specific Gravity
2.6–2.9
🔍 Field Identification Tips
Waxy luster, sky blue to green color, often with brown or black matrix (veining). Hardness 5–6. Not glassy. Reacts to heat — will turn greenish when heated. Be aware that most "turquoise" sold is dyed howlite or stabilized material — natural gem-grade turquoise is increasingly rare.
Varieties & Forms
📍 Where to Find Turquoise in the US
Uses & Applications
Jewelry (December birthstone), Native American art and silverwork, decorative carvings, inlay.
💰 Collector Value Guide
Stabilized: $1–$10/gram. Natural high-grade: $10–$100/gram. Vintage Bisbee/Sleeping Beauty: $50–$500/gram. Collector-grade: thousands.
Find Turquoise With Our Tools
Use the We Lick Rocks app to identify specimens, find dig sites, and connect with local rockhounds.