African Turquoise Beads Smooth RoundAfrican Turquoise Beads The name "African Turquoise" is a bit of a misnomer in the sense that this stone isn't turquoise at all, rather it is a variety of jasper (which is itself a form of chalcedony) that is mined in Africa. The stone's beautiful organic look comes from the mineral content of the stone, including crystal quartz (giving it the opaque appearance) as well as copper and iron. African Turquoise is an excellent candidate for jewelry items