| Chemical
Composition |
Hydrated
copper aluminum phosphate. |
| Color |
Blue,
green, blue-green. |
| Refractive
Index |
R.I.
1.62. |
| Durability |
Hardness
5-6 |
| Crystal
Structure |
Triclinic
(massive) |
| Specific
Gravity |
2.6-2.9. |
| Sources
/ Occurrence |
Iran
(Persia), Tibet, China, Egypt, southwestern
U.S. |
|
|
Turquoise comes from the 13th century French 'Pierre
Turquoise' meaning Turkish stone'.
The Persian name is 'Peroz' or 'Firoza', indicative
of the sky blue color. The material of this stone
is soft and opaque. Big stone sizes are very rare,
only small ones being available.
Four Turquoise gold bracelets have adorned the arm
of the mummy of Queen Zer of Egypt, for 7500 years.
Turquoise has been thought to warn the wearer of
danger or illness by changing color.In the 13th
century, Turquoise was thought to protect the wearer
from falling especially from horses.
Legend has it that the Indians believed that if
turquoise was affixed to a bow, the arrows shot
from it would always hit their mark. It was also
believed to bring happiness and good fortune to
all.
Turquoise is considered to be good blood purifier.
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