Turquoise is a mineral of secondary origin usually found in small veins and stringers. Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of alumina containing a little copper; calaite. It has a blue, or bluish green, colour, and usually occurs in reniform masses with a botryoidal surface. It has a relative hardness of 6. Turquoise is susceptible of a high polish, and when of a bright blue colour is much esteemed as a gem. The finest specimens come from Persia. It is also found in New Mexico and Arizona, and is regarded as identical with the chalchihuitl of the Mexicans.
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