Turquoise and teal are beautiful blue-green colors that have been prized for millennia. Though often used interchangeably, turquoise and teal are actually different shades. Turquoise is a slightly greener, cooler tone, while teal is a deeper, richer color with more blue. Both owe their hues to the presence of copper. Let’s take a closer look at these stunning shades and how to produce them.
The History and Origins of Turquoise and Teal
Turquoise gets its name from the precious gemstone of the same color. This opaque, blue-green mineral has been mined since ancient times in places like Iran, Afghanistan, and the Sinai Peninsula. The word “turquoise” dates back to the 16th century and comes from the French for “Turkish stone” because it was first brought to Europe by Venetian traders from Turkey.
Turquoise pigments were originally made by grinding up the stones. The color became associated with the natural gemstone. Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves in turquoise jewelry, and the Aztecs used it to decorate ceremonial masks. In Persia, turquoise was believed to have protective powers.
Teal has a more recent origin as a color name. It first came into use in the early 20th century and is named after the common teal, a type of duck with bluish-green feathers. While turquoise has more green undertones, teal contains more blue. As a pigment, teal sits between emerald and cyan on the color wheel. Its first recorded use as a color name in English was in 1917.
The Chemistry of Turquoise and Teal Pigments
Natural turquoise owes its distinctive color to hydrated copper aluminum phosphate. The copper provides the blue tones while the phosphate and water give more greenish shades. Similarly, the pigments that produce turquoise and teal colors are usually copper compounds.
Some key turquoise and teal pigments include:
– Copper carbonate – This turquoise pigment has been used since antiquity. It provides a greener shade of turquoise.
– Copper acetate – Produces a deeper, richer turquoise or teal depending on the formulation.
– Copper phthalocyanine – A synthetic organic pigment used for printing inks. It yields a teal to mid-turquoise hue.
– Copper sulfate – Combined with lime, this makes Egyptian blue, an ancient turquoise pigment.
– Chalcocyanite pigment – Contains copper, aluminum, and sulfur. It creates a brighter, slightly greener turquoise.
| Pigment | Composition | Color Produced |
|---|---|---|
| Copper carbonate | CuCO3 | Greener turquoise |
| Copper acetate | Cu(C2H3O2)2 | Turquoise to teal |
| Copper phthalocyanine | C32H16CuN8 | Teal to mid-turquoise |
While natural copper pigments were originally used, most modern turquoise and teal dyes and pigments are synthetic.
Creating Turquoise and Teal Paints and Dyes
There are several ways to make turquoise and teal pigments for paints, inks, and dyes. Here are some common methods:
– **Precipitating copper compounds** – By precipitating copper from solutions of copper sulfate or copper acetate, compounds like copper carbonate form. The particle size and precipitation conditions determine the shade.
– **Firing copper minerals** – Minerals like malachite can be fired at high heat to produce turquoise to teal copper oxide pigments.
– **Combining blue and green pigments** – Not all turquoise/teal pigments contain copper. These colors can also be made by blending suitable green and blue pigments together in different ratios.
– **Dyeing with copper compounds** – Fabrics can be dyed turquoise or teal using copper acetate or copper sulfates combined with ammonia to produce the color directly on the fibers.
– **Using organic pigments** – Modern phthalocyanine and anthraquinone pigments produce bright turquoise and teal shades for inks and plastics.
The specific choice of pigment or dye depends on the material and application. Painters might prefer mineral or precipitated pigments for their texture and natural look. Printers and industrial coatings use more stable synthetic organic pigments.
How to Make Turquoise and Teal Paint
For homemade paint with a turquoise or teal color, here are some simple recipes to try:
Turquoise tempera paint
– 2 teaspoons copper carbonate or copper sulfate
– 1 tablespoon limewater or calcium hydroxide
– 2 teaspoons glue or egg yolk
– Mix the ingredients together to form the paint. Adjust the ratio of copper compound to lime to vary the shade.
Teal acrylic paint
– 5 parts acrylic gel medium
– 3 parts copper phthalocyanine pigment
– 2 parts white acrylic paint
– Stir together thoroughly and add water to thin if needed. Make a greener turquoise by adding more blue or green paint.
Turquoise casein paint
– 2 tablespoons copper carbonate or other turquoise pigment
– 1 cup casein or milk protein glue
– 1/2 cup limewater
– Mix the casein and limewater together well. Gradually sift and stir in the copper pigment to the desired hue.
Dyeing Fabric Turquoise and Teal
Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk readily accept turquoise and teal dyes. Here are some common dye techniques:
**Using food coloring** – A simple way to dye fabric turquoise or teal is to mix 2-3 drops of blue food coloring with 1 drop of green in 1 cup of warm water. Submerge the fabric in the dye bath for 30 minutes or more.
**Turquoise with copper and ammonia** – Soak fabric in a solution of 3 tablespoons copper sulfate and 1/4 cup ammonia diluted in 2 cups of warm water. This produces a richer turquoise that bonds strongly to natural fibers.
**Teal with fiber reactive dyes** – Fiber reactive dyes allow direct application of bold turquoise and teal colors to plant-based fabrics. Follow package directions to get the intensity desired.
**Over-dyeing** – Dye fabric first in light blue, then dip into a yellow dye bath briefly to produce a teal color. The original blue color mixes with the yellow over-dye to yield the teal shade.
Be sure to wash and rinse the fabric thoroughly after dyeing to remove excess pigment.
Other Uses of Turquoise and Teal
In addition to paints, inks, and dyes, turquoise and teal colors have many other decorative and commercial uses:
– Cosmetics – Eye shadows, nail polishes, lipsticks, blushes
– Clothing – Shirts, dresses, neckties, linings
– Housewares – Dishes, appliances, furniture
– Leather goods – Shoes, handbags, belts
– Plastics – Toys, telephones, consumer goods
– Foods and candies – Icing, jelly beans, cake decorating
– Tattoos – Bright turquoise and teal make eye-catching tattoo inks
The cool, refreshing color palette has widespread appeal for all sorts of products. Both turquoise and teal work well as accent colors to create exciting contrast against neutral backgrounds. Their modeling properties also allow soft, peaceful color gradients. From electronics to bathtubs to bird feeders, turquoise and teal permeate our manufactured world.
Turquoise and Teal in Art and Culture
The striking blue-green shades have strongly influenced art and design throughout history. Here are some cultural highlights:
– **Ancient art** – Turquoise glazes adorned pottery in ancient Egypt, the Aztecs painted Mayan temples turquoise, and Persian artifacts featured extensive use as an elite color.
– **Impressionism** – Claude Monet and other Impressionist painters used turquoise to capture light effects and shadows, such as in water lily pond reflections.
– **Tiffany lamps** – Stained glass designer Louis Comfort Tiffany made signature turquoise and teal glass lamps and windows.
– **Hawaiian culture** – People of Hawaii associate turquoise with the sea and include it in fabrics like tapa cloth.
– **Southwest Native Americans** – Tribes like the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi are renowned for their bold turquoise jewelry.
– **Art deco** – The sleek Art Deco style of the 1920s used turquoise and teal accents in furniture, fashion, and architecture.
– **Retro design** – From appliances to uniforms, mid-century designers embraced vibrant turquoise and teal as futuristic.
Even today, turquoise and teal remain sought-after shades to give a creative, lively touch.
| Time Period | Turquoise and Teal Use |
|---|---|
| Ancient cultures | Ceramic glazes, temple paints, jewelry |
| 19th century | Impressionist paintings, Tiffany lamps |
| Early 20th century | Art deco designs, Hawaiian tapa cloth |
| Mid-century | Retro housewares, Native American art |
Conclusion
Turquoise and teal have an amazing history spanning cultures and eras. While turquoise leans greener, teal contains more blue, but both share a base of copper compounds. These mineral pigments were originally sourced from gemstones and copper ores but today synthetics are more common. Whether creating a custom paint, dyeing fabric, or decorating a room, turquoise and teal bring a lively yet relaxing ambiance. Their cool, watery hues have attracted people worldwide for thousands of years and will likely continue to be staples of color palettes into the future.