turquoise

turquoise, hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate [CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O] that is extensively used as a gemstone. It is a secondary mineral deposited from circulating waters, and it occurs chiefly in arid environments as blue to greenish, waxy veinlets in alumina-rich, weathered, volcanic, or sedimentary rocks. Turquoise was obtained from the Sinai Peninsula before the 4th millennium bc in one of the world’s first important hard-rock mining operations. It was transported to Europe through Turkey, probably accounting for...