A relatively new source of gem-quality turquoise
is hosted within slates in Zhushan County of
China’s Hubei Province. Rough and polished
samples were studied using standard gemological
methods, as well as FTIR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy.
The turquoise formed nodular, massive,
and veinlet assemblages. Brown and black veinlets/
patches and irregular white blebs were common,
and micro scopic observation also revealed
microcrystalline and spherulitic structures. In general,
the nodular specimens were of the highest
quality. The deposits show considerable potential
as a commercial source of gem-quality turquoise.