Turquoise is a copper mineral with a bright blue to blue-green color. The color is so familiar and so enjoyed that the word “turquoise” has become a commonly used word for a milky blue-green color. Only a few gemstones have a color that is so familiar.

Turquoise is found in dry climates in the rocks above copper deposits. The southwestern states of Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico produce enough turquoise to make the United States a world leader in turquoise production. Turquoise was first produced there thousands of years ago by Native Americans, and the gem is still associated with their work.

Turquoise has a hardness of between 5 and 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. That makes it suitable for earrings, pendants, pins, and other items that are not subjected to abrasion or impact. If it is used in jewelry such as bracelets, belt buckles, and rings, it is best mounted in a setting that protects the stone from abrasion or impact.