# Turquoise

Turquoise is a lovely blue-green stone that is often used in jewelry. It reminds us of the ocean!

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Turquoise Gem, Turquoise Stone

![Turquoise](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426817/objects/5389.jpg)

## Appearance

The Turquoise has a distinct robin's egg blue or greenish-blue color, often with dark, spiderweb-like veins. Its opaque, waxy surface makes it look smooth and earthy. These unique markings, called matrix, help it stand out.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient pharaohs and Aztec kings treasured turquoise, wearing it for royal power!
- Its stunning blue color comes from tiny bits of copper within the mineral!
- The name 'turquoise' means 'Turkish stone' in French, as it came via Turkey!
- Turquoise can form in dry desert climates when water mixes with specific minerals.

## Special abilities

- **Color Changer:** Turquoise can change color because its porous surface reacts to sunlight, sweat, or oils, shifting from blue to green.
- **Tough Tracer:** Turquoise has a unique structure allowing dark veins of host rock to permeate, creating beautiful natural patterns.
- **Soft Carver:** Turquoise is soft enough to be easily carved and polished, making it perfect for intricate jewelry designs.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** blue, green, blue-green
- **Hardness:** 5.5
- **Luster:** waxy to subvitreous
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.7
- **Crystal System:** triclinic

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Turquoise?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Turquoise be?

blue, green, blue-green

### How hard is Turquoise?

5.5

### What kind of luster does Turquoise have?

waxy to subvitreous

### What is Turquoise's specific gravity?

2.7

### What crystal system does Turquoise belong to?

triclinic

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Turquoise: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/turquoise)