Where is turquoise mined in the world? Where is the origin of the name of this gem? What powers and abilities were thought to be possessed by turquoise?
Description of Gem
Turquoise is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate that forms in arid regions, where copper-bearing water percolates through aluminum-rich rock near the surface. The gem, rather than being found as big crystals, occurs in veins and nodules.
Turquoise was among the first gems mined by humans. Beads created from this stone have been found dating to at least the fifth millennium B.C.
The most sought-after color of turquoise is sky blue (also known as "robin's egg blue" or "Persian blue").
Sources
Iran (previously Persia) has historically been the top source for some of the finest turquoise. Anciently, the Egyptians mined for this highly valued stone in the Sinai Peninsula.
Turquoise, in the past, was also mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans in deposits in New Mexico and possibly California (Gems Through the Ages).
In modern times, China, Egypt, and Mexico contain notable deposits of the gem. The United States is known for mining this stone in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada.
How Hard Is it?
Turquoise has a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. It is one of the softest gems mentioned in the Bible, with lapis lazuli (5 to 5.5), corals (3 to 4) and pearls (2.5 to 4.5) being less hard.
Biblical Occurrences
The eighth gemstone used by God to adorn Lucifer upon his creation is called an emerald in the King James.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald (Hebrew nophek, Strong's Concordance #H5306), and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Ezekiel 28:13, KJV).
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions, however, states that nophek in Ezekiel 28:13 can also refer to a turquoise, ruby or carbuncle. Major Biblical translations label this eighth stone as a turquoise.
You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold . . . (Ezekiel 28:13, NKJV).
You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and emerald . . . (Ezekiel 28:13, HCSB).
You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl . . . (Ezekiel 28:13, NIV).
Other translations that label Lucifer's eighth stone of decoration as a turquoise include the NASB, NLT, ESV and NCV Bibles. It therefore seems highly likely this cherub was adorned with this gem by God.
Other Uses
Cabochons of imported turquoise and coral are used extensively in the silver and gold jewelry of Tibet and Mongolia.
This gemstone has been prized for thousands of years and is especially associated with ancient Egyptian, Persian, Native American, and Central Asian jewelry traditions.
The famous Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun's funerary mask had inlaid within it turquoise, lapis lazuli and carnelian stones.
Facts and Folklore
Turquoise is one of the natural gemstones mined in the United States. Others include agate, beryl, coral, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearl, quartz, sapphire, topaz and many others. Six U.S. states, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, California, Montana, and Maine, account for 71% of gem production in America (Minerals Commodity Summaries 2025 published by U.S. Geological Survey).
The U.S. state of Nevada is a major producer of this gemstone with more than 120 mines which have yielded significant quantities.
Because natural, untreated turquoise is increasingly scarce, most on the market today is stabilized (treated with resin to improve hardness and color stability). Fully natural, untreated stones command a premium, especially from historic mines that are now depleted.
The origin of the English word "turquoise" may have come from the French word for Turkey (Turks or Turkish). At one time, it was believed that this location is where the gem was discovered and sent to Europe.
According to a USGS article on turquoise, a robin's egg blue version of this stone was worn by Aztec kings and the Pharaohs of Egypt.
This Bible gemstone is traditionally associated with protection, good fortune, healing, peace, and friendship
In the early seventeenth century it was stated that no Englishman (women rarely wore the gem) considered his hand "well adorned" unless he wore on it a quality turquoise stone (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, page 111).
Turquoise, like diamonds, were once believed to possess talisman-like powers. These powers, however, would only manifest themselves if the precious stone were received as a gift. If the gem was purchased, its power was believed to leave it and render it useless (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, page 73).
This gem was believed to protect the wearer if he or she fell and to signal an approaching disaster by breaking into several pieces. Horses that wore the stone were protected from the bad effects of drinking cold water after exertion (ibid. page 109).
Skepticism regarding the seeming magical powers of stones has been voiced throughout history. One such example occurred during the reign of Emperor Charles V (who ruled over the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 to 1556 A.D.). When Charles asked a court jester, "What is the property of the turquoise?" he got the following response.
"'Why,' replied he (the jester), 'if you should happen to fall from a high tower whilst you were wearing a turquoise on your finger, the turquoise would remain unbroken'" (ibid. page 24).
Turquoise is one of at least seven stones mislabeled in the Bible. The others that are mislabeled are carnelians, chrysoprase, lapis lazuli, peridot, red garnet and rock crystal.