Where is Turquoise and Ruby found?
Turquoise (CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O) and Ruby (Al2O3:Cr)
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Open the appTurquoise and Ruby occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Turquoise and Ruby
Turquoise: Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico)
Historically significant deposits, particularly in Arizona (e.g., Sleeping Beauty, Kingman mines) and Nevada (e.g., Lander Blue, Lone Mountain).
Turquoise: Iran (Persia)
Nishapur district, known for its high-quality 'Persian Blue' turquoise.
Turquoise: China (Hubei province)
Significant producer of turquoise, often with a greener hue.
Turquoise: Egypt (Sinai Peninsula)
Ancient mines, particularly Serabit el-Khadim and Wadi Maghareh.
Ruby: Myanmar (Burma)
Mogok Valley is world-renowned for its 'Pigeon's Blood' rubies, found in marble deposits.
Ruby: Thailand/Cambodia
Historically important sources, often producing darker, brownish-red rubies from basaltic host rocks.
Ruby: Sri Lanka
Known for a variety of corundum colors, including rubies, often found in alluvial deposits.
Ruby: Mozambique
Emerging as a major source, particularly the Montepuez deposit, producing high-quality rubies.
Ruby: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Tanzania, Madagascar
Other notable sources with varying qualities and geological settings.
Collecting tips
- Turquoise Prospecting. Look for areas with altered igneous rocks, especially in arid environments. Turquoise often occurs in veins or nodules within limonite-stained host rock. Surface indications can include greenish or bluish stains on rocks.
- Ruby Prospecting. Search in metamorphic terrains, particularly marble, gneiss, or schist, or in alluvial deposits downstream from such formations. Rubies are dense and will concentrate in placers. Look for associated minerals like spinel, garnet, and mica.
- Safety Precautions (General). Always obtain permission before collecting on private land. Be aware of local regulations for public lands. Wear appropriate safety gear, including eye protection and gloves, especially when breaking rocks. For turquoise, avoid inhaling dust if cutting or polishing, as fine particulate matter can be a respiratory irritant. For ruby, no specific chemical hazards are associated with handling the mineral itself, but standard rock collecting safety applies.
- Distinguishing Features (Turquoise). Its unique blue-green color, waxy luster, and relative softness (Mohs 5-6) help distinguish it. Variscite is typically greener and has a lower specific gravity. Chrysocolla is softer and often more gelatinous. Azurite is a deeper blue and effervesces with acid.
- Distinguishing Features (Ruby). Its intense red color, high hardness (Mohs 9), and adamantine luster are key. Red garnet is softer (Mohs 6.5-7.5), has a different crystal habit, and often shows conchoidal fracture. Red spinel is also hard (Mohs 8) but is singly refractive (isotropic) compared to ruby's double refraction (anisotropic). Red tourmaline is softer (Mohs 7-7.5) and has distinct striations on its crystal faces.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Turquoise: Blue to green; Ruby: Red
- Luster:
- Turquoise: Waxy to subvitreous; Ruby: Adamantine to vitreous
- Streak:
- Turquoise: White to pale blue-green; Ruby: White
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