Physical Properties of turquoise
Chemical Formula : CuA16(PO4)4(OH)8 4(H2O)
Composition : Molecular Weight = 813.44 gm
Aluminum 19.90% AL 37.60% AL2O3
Copper 7.81% CU 9.78% CuO
Phosphorus 15.23% P 34.90% P2O5
Hydrogen 1.98% H 17.72% H2O
Oxygen 55.07% O
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100.00% 100.00% = Total Oxide
Empirical Formula CuAL6(PO4)4(OH)8 4(H2O)
Enviroment Secondary Mineral found in copper deposits
IMA Status Valid Species(Pre-IMA) Prehistoric
Name Orgin Named after The Country Turkey
Synonym Callacite
Turquoise Crytallallography
Cleavage [001] PERFECT [010] Good
Color Blue,Blue green,Green,Light blue,Light green
Density 2.6-2.8, Average= 2.7
Diaphaniety Subtranslucent to opaque
Fracture Conchoidal- Fractures developed in brittle materials
characterized by smoothly curving surfaces,(e.g quartz)
Habit Concretionary-Rounded massive fine grained materials.
Encrustations-Forms crust like aggregates on matrix
Massive-- Uniformly indistinguishable crystals forming
large masses.
Hardness 5-6
Luminescence Non-Florescent
Luster Waxy
Streak Pale Bluish white
Optical Properties
Optical data Biaxial (+),a=1.61,b=1.615,g=1.65,bire=0.0400,2v(Calc)=44,
2V(Meas)=40
Calculated Properties
Electron density: Pelectron=3.01 gm/cc
Fermion index : = 0.00026, Boson index = 0.99974
Photoelectric : PE turquoise=4.64 barns/electron, U=PE turquoise x Pelectron= barns/cc
Radioactivity : GRapi = 0 (Turquoise is not radioactive)
Turquoise Classification
Dana Class : 42.9.3.1 (42)Hydrated Phosphates,ect.,Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
(42.9) Where(A)3(XO4)2Zq'x(H2o) (42.9.3) Dana Group
copyright 2010 @ James Saunders
