bijoux-et-mineraux: Turquoise psm after Bone (Odontolite) -…

bijoux-et-mineraux:

Turquoise psm after Bone (Odontolite) – Yarvicoya Mine, Oruro, Oruro Dept., Bolivia

Occasionally, in arid areas in/near copper deposits, animals perish and their bones are replaced by copper minerals from the water running through the veins and cracks in the rocks over thousands of years – a phenomenon known from a few places around the world. Here, in this case the replacement is by turquoise of carving grade! This rare pseudomorph of turquoise after bone (odontolite) exhibits a pleasing light teal-blue color. It is apparently the jawbone of a mammal, probably dated around 20-40,000 years old.

Geology Nerd

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