Turquoise from Amaroo Station Northern Territory
Turquoise Info
This fine nugget of turquoise was mined from Amaroo Station in the Northern Territory (350km North East of Alice Springs). The correct spelling is Ammaroo, but Amaroo is sometimes found for the locality in the public domain.
This location, unfortunately now defunct, has produced by far Australia s finest turquoise. Specimens like this are becoming harder to come by.
Definitely a favourite in the collection, I hope to add a few more pieces soon.
I acquired this specimen from Greg at Blue Gems at the 2013 Central Coast Gem Festival.
Specimen Details
Chemical Formula: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O
ID #: JG0018
Colour: sky-blue, pale green, blue-green, turquoise-blue,
apple-green, green-gray
Hardness: 5 – 6
Acquisition Date: 12/10/2013
Crystal System: Triclinic
Lustre: Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Dull, Earthy
Dimensions: 48mm x 40mm x 29mm
Weight: 61g
Location: Amaroo Station, Sandover, Barkly Region, Northern Territory, Australia
Rarity of Mineral
Did you know!?
Turquoise can be very similar and hard to distinguish from Variscite, though Variscite is generally greener.