Turquoise In-The-Raw? If It Isn't, What May It Be?

Weight is 295 grams. I don't recall when I acquired this rock, but certainly somewhere east of the Sierras an' south of Mono Lake.
The brownish matrix appears to be similar to what I've seen as inclusions in cut or polished turquoise stones set into buckles, bracelets, pendants an' rings...but I have serious doubts about this being genuine; I rather suspect it is some form of copper ore.
Your counsel is sought, an' I thank you for lookin'!

 

possible....

 

Whit-I don't see the buckle part ?

 

There's no buckle...nor bracelet, pendant or ring. Just that I've seen brown inclusions in large an' small nuggets used in those settings. Conchos, too, an' I've got a sweet set of those which I believe I've shown here, maybe a year or so ago.

 

Oops,sorry Amigo-You mean the rock itself ? Sorry,all I've ever seen are belts,rings,bolow ties n' such.

 

You have doubts about its being genuine what? According to my gems & minerals guide, any of several minerals can be turquoise matrix, with limonite being the brown kind. I don't see metallic copper here.

 

Hmm...I have the idea that not all copper-bearing materials contain metallic copper; but I know Jack Shidt about minerals, Bronwen...an' by genuine I meant turquoise. Thanks!

 

These rocks live at my house:



The first is quite similar to yours in appearance, except the bottom has areas of small quartz crystals. Don't know whether or not this is an indication that the blue-green stone is chrysocolla rather than turquoise.

The second is a real jumble of a rock, but think it is azurite & malachite with some kind of matrix.

 

I hadn't thought of chrysocolla, 'cause I don't know about it...but you may be right, Bronwen. The bottom pic sure looks volcanic, to me. Thanks!

 

There's got be a lot of info regarding the geology of Mono Lake ?. That's 'Rockhound' Paradise down there.
You ever do any Prospecting ? I remember when everybody in Nevada had Uranium Fever-couldn't keep the WWII surplus minesweepers & geiger counters in stock.

 

Naw...thought about getting a metal detector often, but the tech kept advancing, the good ones became pretty costly...an' I never followed through. But that country is rich in all manner of mineral resources, an' I'll bet there are still Bonanzas to be had for the rugged an' persevering individual.

 

As a kindergartner would spend recess with a friend picking out the prettiest bits from the fine gravel covering the kindergarten playground and never lost my enjoyment of stones. But, alas, have never had the opportunity to really pursue the rockhound beat in any serious way.

Was so envious of the boy next door when he would come home from family summer vacations with Lake Superior agates, Petoskey stones & other mineral wonders.

Nearly cried when I found that my mother, without running it by me first, had encased most of my favorite rocks in cement to make a patio stone, a class assignment for something she had to take on her way to becoming a teacher. She thought I'd be pleased. Didn't understand that I wanted to be able to hold them & see all sides.

 

Bless Our Parents,and forgive them Lord-for They know not what they do.

 

We collected stones all over the country opal in Idaho,sapphires rubies,garnet,gold in North Carolina,quartz crystals in Arkansas etc.Tourmaline and kunzite from San Diego county,opal from Idaho.