Chrysocolla Vs. Turquoise

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

Quick Facts on Differences of Chrysocolla and Turquoise

For a quick recap of the differences chrysocolla and turquoise:

• While both chrysocolla and turquoise is opaque, turquoise can be translucent.
• In terms of crystallography, chrysocolla can be monoclinic or orthorhombic while turquoise is triclinic.
• For chemical formulas, chrysocolla is Cu2H2Si2O5(OH)4 while turquoise is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8• 4H2O.
• While both chrysocolla and turquoise can be dull, vitreous or waxy, in terms of luster, chrysocolla can be greasy.
• While both chrysocolla and turquoise streaks white, chrysocolla streaks blue, pale, pale blue or white pale.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Chrysocolla and Turquoise

The similarities of chrysocolla and turquoise include:

• Chrysocolla and turquoise both can be commonly blue or green.
• Chrysocolla's rarity is similar to turquoise.
• Chrysocolla's hardness overlaps with turquoise - chrysocolla ranges from 2 to 7 and turquoise ranges from 5 to 6 on the Moh's scale.
• Chrysocolla's specific gravity overlaps with turquoise - chrysocolla ranges from 2 to 2.4 and turquoise ranges from 2.4 to 2.6.

Summary of Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a mineral that is typically found in copper deposits around the world. It is often confused with turquoise or malachite due to its similar appearance, but chrysocolla has a unique blue-green color that sets it apart. It is often found in botryoidal or stalactitic formations, and can also occur as a crust or coating on other minerals.

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 Chrysocolla vs Turquoise