Turquoise is an intriguing color that seems to straddle the line between blue and green. With its cool, aquatic hue, turquoise contains elements of both colors while maintaining its own distinct identity. But when it comes to deciding whether turquoise is ultimately closer to blue or green, there are a few key factors to consider.
The Origins and Definitions of Turquoise
To understand where turquoise lies on the color spectrum, it helps to look at its origins. The word “turquoise” dates back to the 16th century and comes from the French for “Turkish stone” because the vibrant blue-green mineral was originally imported from Turkey.
So right away in its etymology, we see turquoise connected with shades of blue and green. Most standard color definitions characterize it as a greenish blue or bluish green. For example:
- Wikipedia: “It is the name of a bluish-green color, based on the gem of the same name.”
- Cambridge Dictionary: “a greenish-blue color”
- Collins Dictionary: “A bluish-green colour”
These descriptions acknowledge turquoise’s dual nature – situated between blue and green, incorporating elements of both. When we look at the hex code for turquoise, #40E0D0, we also see fairly balanced amounts of blue and green.
Comparison of Turquoise to Blue and Green Hues
One way to determine whether turquoise skews more toward blue or green is to directly compare it to shades on both ends of the spectrum.
On the blue side, turquoise is brighter and more vivid than darker blues like navy or indigo. When put side-by-side with light blues like powder blue or baby blue, turquoise clearly looks more green in contrast. The yellow element in its RGB/hex code gives it more vibrancy than pure blues.
Compared to greens, turquoise is duller and less yellow-toned than lime green or chartreuse. However, it is brighter and more blue-infused than forest, mint, or teal greens. Turquoise seems to inhabit a space between the most saturated greens and blues.
Use of Turquoise in Art and Design
The balance of blue and green in turquoise has made it an incredibly versatile color for artists and designers. Historically, turquoise pigments were developed independently by various cultures around the globe, suggesting its aesthetic appeal transcends styles and regions.
In modern color theory, turquoise is considered a tertiary color, meaning it’s created by combining the primary colors blue and green. This mix makes it a dynamic, complex color that can be adapted to many settings:
- Turquoise evokes tropical waters and is used in beach house decor.
- Its sophistication works for upscale boutique logos and wedding color schemes.
- Turquoise adds vibrancy as an accent color in cheerful, youthful styles.
Unlike primary colors, tertiary colors have a nuanced versatility that make them widely useful for visual artists. The balance of blue and green gives turquoise this rich adaptability.
Psychology of the Color Turquoise
The impression turquoise makes on the human eye and mind also provides clues about its blue-green balance. Research into the psychology of color suggests turquoise promotes calmness and tranquility like blue, while also stimulating vitality and creativity like green.
Specifically, studies show turquoise can elicit the following types of responses:
- Relaxing, soothing, refreshing
- Openness, balance, harmony with nature
- Whimsical, imaginative, innovative
This mix of tranquil and energizing effects arises from turquoise having notable blue and green attributes. The peace comes from blue tones, while the creative spark comes from green.
Surveys of Human Perception of Turquoise
We can also look directly at people’s visual impressions of turquoise to assess whether they lean toward seeing it as more blue or green. Online surveys about turquoise regularly show divided results:
| Survey | More Blue | More Green |
|---|---|---|
| Is Turquoise More Blue or Green? (307 votes) | 48% | 52% |
| Turquoise, is it more blue or green? (122 votes) | 45% | 55% |
The verdict from random sampling seems to be that turquoise is ultimately perceived as slightly more green than blue. But the split is very close, with blue never trailing by more than a few percentage points.
Wavelength and Color Mixing
Looking at the scientific properties of light waves can also provide insight into why turquoise straddles the boundary between green and blue.
On the electromagnetic spectrum, blue wavelengths range from about 450-495 nanometers, while green wavelengths range from 495-570 nm. Turquoise’s wavelength is roughly 480-510 nm right in between blue and green.
Additionally, the RGB values used to produce turquoise are nearer to even mixing than combinations that skew strongly toward one color. The RBG values are 64 Red, 224 Green, and 208 Blue. So turquoise represents a fairly balanced convergence of blue and green light waves.
Geographical Minerals and Gemstones
Natural turquoise gems and minerals provide a look into turquoise’s chemical composition. While turquoise deposits are found globally, the most valued specimens come from Iran, the Southwest United States, and Sinai, Egypt.
In chemical terms, turquoise is a hydrous phosphate containing copper and aluminum. The exact ratio of metals and other elements can vary based on the deposit location, affecting the tone and vibrancy. But the essential copper component gives turquoise its characteristic blue-green color.
Interestingly, turquoise is often found near copper deposits and the two are mined together. The close geological connection between turquoise and copper, which has a distinct blue tone, suggests a strong blue influence in natural turquoise.
Dyes, Paints, and Other Pigments
Manmade turquoise dyes and paints also blend blue and green pigments to mimic the hue found in turquoise minerals. For example, phthalo green and phthalo blue are commonly combined to create a turquoise pigment. The balanced mixture of these primary green and blue dyes produces a vivid secondary shade evocative of natural turquoise.
However, some manufactured turquoise colors rely more heavily on either green or blue as their base. Mint or robin’s egg blue paints adjusted with small amounts of green result in a turquoise with more blue undertones. Conversely, coloring a teal green paint with a touch of blue yields a greener turquoise.
Cultural and Historical Associations
Looking at how turquoise has been viewed and used throughout history provides more context about its green-blue duality. In many ancient cultures of the Near East, turquoise was closely associated with blue lapis lazuli and other blue gems suggesting a stronger blue affinity.
For example, Ancient Egyptians adorned pharaohs with vibrant blue faience beads to imitate turquoise’s striking hue. And Persian art combined intense blues, turquoise, and greens as a signature color palette.
However, in Native American culture, turquoise carried stronger ties to green gems like jade and emerald. The vibrant blue-green stones were believed to promote prosperity and healing. This spiritual association with life-giving plants and nature connects turquoise more closely with green.
Gender Perceptions
Because blue and green are traditionally considered “masculine” and “feminine” colors respectively, looking at gender preferences for turquoise can provide another angle on its blue-green balance. And once again, we see a split verdict.
Some surveys suggest women have a slight preference for turquoise compared to men. The softness and versatility of turquoise appeals to feminine sensibilities in fashion and decor.
However, other polls indicate men respond just as strongly to turquoise as women. Turquoise has an earthy quality along with enough boldness to work for masculine designs. The blue component also gives it a little more gender neutrality than a pure green.
Conclusion
After reviewing turquoise from these diverse perspectives – etymology, color comparisons, design usage, color psychology, human perception, light waves, natural geology, manufactured pigments, cultural history, and gender preferences – a nuanced picture emerges. Turquoise seems to reside at the midpoint between blue and green, incorporating vital elements of both while remaining its own unique tertiary color.
Small shifts in context make turquoise appear slightly more blue or green. It contrasts more with light blues, connects more with dark greens. Its tranquility comes from blue, its energy from green. Different cultures and individuals perceive it with personal blue or green associations.
But whatever small leanings emerge, the overwhelming consensus is that turquoise exists somewhere in between blue and green. It joins the two into a harmonious balance of calm and vibrancy, sophistication and cheerfulness. So while one can make a case for turquoise being marginally closer to green or blue, its essential nature remains comfortably centered between the two.
