8mm Round Turquoise Cabochon

• Stone Type: Turquoise – a rare, opaque copper mineral
• Colour: Ranges from sky-blue to emerald-green, often with distinctive dark matrix veins
• Composition: Hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, formed in copper-rich environments
• Colour Source: Copper creates blue tones, while iron contributes to greener shades
• Hardness: 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale; relatively soft and best suited for protective jewellery settings
• Origin: Commonly found in arid regions such as Iran and the USA
• Appearance: Opaque with a smooth finish, frequently displaying natural veining or matrix patterns
• Historical Use: Used for thousands of years in jewellery, especially by ancient Egyptian and Native American cultures
• Birthstone: December
• Treatments: Often stabilised or treated with wax or resin to improve durability and enhance colour