Where is Turquoise with matrix found?
Turquoise (CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O) with host rock (matrix)
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Open the appTurquoise with matrix 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 with matrix
Southwestern United States
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado are major historical and current sources, with numerous mines producing distinct varieties of matrix turquoise (e.g., Kingman, Sleeping Beauty, Morenci, Carico Lake).
Iran (Persia)
The Nishapur district in Khorasan Province has been a source of high-quality turquoise for millennia, often found with a dark matrix.
China
Hubei Province is a significant producer, yielding turquoise with various matrix patterns.
Egypt
The Sinai Peninsula has ancient turquoise mines, producing material often with a sandstone matrix.
Mexico
Various localities, particularly in Sonora, produce turquoise with matrix.
Collecting tips
- Geological Context. Focus on areas with known porphyry copper deposits or regions with extensive hydrothermal alteration in arid environments. Look for outcrops of altered igneous or sedimentary rocks.
- Color and Luster. Identify the characteristic blue-green color and waxy luster of turquoise. The contrasting matrix will be evident as darker veins or patches.
- Associated Minerals. Turquoise is often found with limonite, kaolinite, chalcedony, and other secondary copper minerals. The presence of these can indicate a promising area.
- Fracture Fillings. Search for turquoise filling fractures, seams, and cavities within the host rock. These are often exposed on weathered surfaces.
- Hardness Test. Turquoise has a Mohs hardness of 5-6, which can help distinguish it from softer look-alikes. The matrix hardness will vary depending on its composition.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Blue-green to sky-blue turquoise with contrasting brown, black, or tan matrix.
- Luster:
- Waxy to sub-vitreous for turquoise; variable for matrix.
- Streak:
- White to pale blue-green (for turquoise component).
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