Amazonite Vs. Turquoise

Amazonite is a gemstone composed of potassium aluminum tectosilicate.^[1] Turquoise is a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is copper aluminum phosphate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Amazonite and Turquoise

For a quick recap of the differences amazonite and turquoise:

• For chemical formulas, amazonite is KAlSi3O8 while turquoise is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8• 4H2O.
• While both amazonite and turquoise is vitreous, in terms of luster, turquoise can be dull or waxy.
• While both amazonite and turquoise can be commonly green, turquoise is often blue.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Amazonite and Turquoise

The similarities of amazonite and turquoise include:

• Amazonite and turquoise both can be opaque or translucent.
• In terms of crystallography, amazonite and turquoise both are triclinic.
• Amazonite and turquoise both streak white.
• Amazonite's rarity is similar to turquoise.
• Amazonite's hardness overlaps with turquoise - amazonite ranges from 6 to 6.5 and turquoise ranges from 5 to 6 on the Moh's scale.
• Amazonite's specific gravity overlaps with turquoise - amazonite ranges from 2.54 to 2.63 and turquoise ranges from 2.4 to 2.6.

Summary of Amazonite

Amazonite is a mineral that is also known as Amazon stone or Amazon jade. It is a type of feldspar that is typically green in color, although it can also be found in shades of blue or yellow-green. The green color is caused by the presence of lead and copper in the mineral.

Summary of Turquoise

Turquoise is a mineral that is a blue to greenish-blue color, often with veins or web-like patterns of darker color running through it. It is a relatively soft mineral, with a Mohs hardness of between 5 and 6, and has been used for decorative purposes for thousands of years. One of the most famous sources of turquoise is the Southwest United States, particularly Arizona and New Mexico, but it can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Iran, Afghanistan, and China.

Table Comparison of Amazonite vs Turquoise