Turquoise is a blue-green mineral. Usually opaque or, more rarely, slightly translucent, it may show a uniform blue color or dark limonite dendritic veins. Due to its porosity, it is subject to easy alterations of the original color and, therefore, sometimes impregnation treatments are carried out for protective purposes. Widely used as an ornamental stone since ancient times to make jewels and statuettes, the oldest find is a bracelet dating back to about 5000 years ago found in Egypt. Among the various Aztec turquoise objects, there are representations of snakes in the act of moving the sky away from the stars. The stone was also used by the Maya from 2000 BC and by the Incas between the 15th and 16th centuries AD. According to an ancient legend, this stone would fade when a misfortune approaches, especially at the end of a love affair.
Dimensions
Height (cm): about 1
Depth (cm): about 1
Width (cm): about 1
Weight (g): 20
Property
Chemical formula: CuAl6 [(OH) 2 | PO4] 4H2O.
Mohs scale: 5-6
Relative density: 2.6-2.8
Crystalline System: Triclino