[[File:Faustite3322.jpg|thumb|A sample of faustite from Malaysia, Pahang, Ampang Jaleh, Penjom Mine]]
The IMA-approved mineral '''faustite'''<ref name=RRUFF>{{cite web |title=Faustite |url=https://rruff.info/doclib/hom/faustite.pdf|work=RRUFF Project |publisher=Mineral Data Publishing |access-date=2014-04-08}}</ref> is a member of the triclinic turquoise group of hydrous phosphates with the chemical composition {{chem2|ZnAl6(PO4)4(OH)8*4H2O}}. It is named after the American mineralogist and petrologist Dr. George Tobias Faust, who workes with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).<ref name=Mindat>{{Mindat |id=1623 |name=Faustite |access-date=2014-04-08}}</ref>
Some divalent copper generally replaces the zinc position. Faustite is the zinc-rich analogue of turquoise, having almost four times as much zinc than copper in its crystal structure.<ref name=WM>{{WebMineral |url=https://webmineral.com/data/Faustite.shtml#.U0M57KLDu2A |title=Faustite Mineral Data |access-date=2014-04-08}}</ref> Trivalent (ferric) iron may replace some of the aluminum. Minor amounts of calcium may also be present. It has a hardness of 4.5–5.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, and aside from having a slightly lower hardness, it may be difficult to distinguish it from turquoise in hand specimens.
Faustite has a blue-green to apple green color in polished cabochons. It may be presented as a turquoise imitation and also be treated with stabilizers for jewelry making.
==References== {{Reflist}} *[http://rruff.info/ima/ IMA Database of Mineral Properties - Faustite] *[http://www.mindat.org/min-1623.html Mindat.org - Faustite] *[http://www.webmineral.com/data/Faustite.shtml#.U0M57KLDu2A Webmineral.com - Faustite Mineral Data]
Category:Phosphate minerals Category:Triclinic minerals Category:Minerals in space group 2