GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Palomino Turquoise
Mexican material sold as Palomino Turquoise, identified by testing as a phosphate-mineral mixture rather than turquoise.
Sample: 1573 (#2 palimino turquoise from Mexico) · Completed: June 2, 2026.
Identified: Overite, variscite, and metavariscite.
Locality: Mexico.
Why the trade name is misleading
X-ray diffraction matches a mixture of overite, variscite, and metavariscite. The copper content is very low, and the report concludes that the stone is not turquoise.
This report is shared by the Palomino Turquoise and Variscite (Mexico) entries. The latter name helps visitors find the identified material, while the full result records all three phosphate minerals.
View the original test results
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These results are the property of Soul Body Gems, Alexander Falster, and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Any mention requires full acknowledgment.
Understanding the report figures
Use this guide alongside the written findings and the original report transcript. It explains the purpose of each analytical figure and preserves the laboratory’s own figure labels. The interpretations apply to the tested specimen; signals alone do not establish the identity of every similar-looking stone.
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Diffraction scan: This scan helps identify crystalline minerals by comparing the measured pattern with reference patterns. The laboratory interpretation explains which minerals the comparison supports.
Laboratory figure caption: Figure 1 photographs a ring with a stone about 1 cm maximum dimension. Figure 2 is an X-ray diffraction scan with reference patterns overlaid.
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Diffraction scan: This scan helps identify crystalline minerals by comparing the measured pattern with reference patterns. The laboratory interpretation explains which minerals the comparison supports.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 2: X-ray diffraction scan of the specimen with reference stick pattern overlay.
Read the report findings and table as text
Analytical Result Report. Sample 1573 (#2 palimino turquoise from Mexico), submitted by Soul Body Gems, completed June 2, 2026. A Bruker Titan X-ray fluorescence spectrometer operated at 10, 25, and 50 kV. A Bruker D2-Phaser X-ray diffractometer operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Figure 1 photographs a ring with a stone about 1 cm maximum dimension. Figure 2 is an X-ray diffraction scan with reference patterns overlaid.
| Element | Wt.% |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 11.4 |
| Calcium | 9.45 |
| Copper | 0.07 |
| Iron | 0.06 |
| Magnesium | 5.43 |
| Manganese | 0.10 |
| Phosphorus | 17.88 |
Summary: The stone is essentially an aluminum phosphate with calcium and magnesium as main components. X-ray diffraction matches overite, variscite, and metavariscite. It is not turquoise; copper content is very low, insufficient to give any bluish color. The report describes the ring metal as sterling silver, measured at 95% silver with the remainder mainly copper. The report ends with the June 2, 2026 date and signature.
Read the original laboratory report as text
The following text and tables are transcribed from the original laboratory document. Figure captions identify the report images; the laboratory interpretations and limitations are preserved.
Laboratory report 1
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1573 (#2 palimino turquoise from Mexico)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 6-2-2026
Operating conditions: A Bruker Titan X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used and operated at 10, 25 and 50 kV.
A Bruker D2-Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimens. The stone is about 1 cmin maximum dimension.
Table 1: Major and minor elemental composition of the material, in wt. %.
| Aluminum | 11.4 |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 9.45 |
| Copper | 0.07 |
| Iron | 0.06 |
| Magnesium | 5.43 |
| Manganese | 0.10 |
| Phosphorus | 17.88 |
Fig. 2: X-ray diffraction scan of the specimen with reference stick pattern overlay.
Summary of findings: This is a pretty specimen. The composition shows that the stone is essentially an aluminum phosphate with calcium and magnesium as main components. X-ray diffraction shows good matches for a mixture of overite, variscite and metavariscite. It is not turquoise, the copper content is very low, not enough to give it any bluish color. The metal os the ring is sterling silver with 95% silver, the rest mainly copper.
Date: 6-2-2026 Signature