Dark turquoise is a rich blue-green color that resembles the gemstone turquoise. It sits between standard turquoise and teal on the color wheel, making it darker and deeper than regular turquoise but brighter than teal. Dark turquoise goes by several names depending on the specific shade and how it’s being used. Some common names for dark turquoise colors include petrol, green-blue, dusty teal, peacock blue, and blue green.
In design and fashion, dark turquoise is often referred to as petrol, peacock blue, or teal. These shades have an elegant, sophisticated look and give off a sense of wealth and luxury. In nature, dark turquoise colors are sometimes called blue-green or greenish blue. These earthy tones are reminiscent of bodies of water, gemstones, or peacock feathers. Specific shades of dark turquoise also have their own unique names that describe their hue, such as verdigris or aqua pine.
What Makes a Color Dark Turquoise?
Turquoise sits between green and blue on the color wheel. It is made by mixing the primary colors blue and green. To make a dark turquoise, more blue is added to the mix to subdue the brightness. This deepens the shade and gives dark turquoise its richer, moodier essence.
There are no fixed formulas for mixing dark turquoise. It can range anywhere from having a ratio of 2 parts blue to 1 part green, up to as much as 9 parts blue to 1 part green. The more blue that is added, the darker and deeper the turquoise becomes. Sometimes a small amount of black is also mixed in to dull the brightness.
Dark turquoise retains the cool, blue-green character of regular turquoise. However, it lacks the striking vibrancy. Instead, it takes on a deeper, more muted appearance. This makes it perfect for creating an elegant, sophisticated mood. The richness of the color also gives it a luxe, expensive look.
Different Names for Dark Turquoise
Dark turquoise encompasses a wide spectrum of shades. Here are some of the most common names used to describe its different colors:
| Peacock Blue | A vivid blue-green with a strong yellow undertone. Named after the iridescent feathers of a peacock. |
| Petrol | A very dark teal-blue color. Named after the look of gasoline. |
| Verdigris | A bluish-green with a slight grayish tone. Named after the green patina that forms on aged copper. |
| Blue-Green | A transitional color between blue and green. More green than peacock blue but more blue than teal. |
| Greenish-Blue | A color closer to blue than green with only a hint of greenness. |
| Dusty Teal | A dark muted teal color with a weathered, vintage look. |
| Aqua Pine | A muted greenish-blue named after blue spruce pine trees. |
The names distinguish the subtle differences between hues. For example, peacock blue has a strong yellow tone while verdigris has more grayness. Greenish-blue sits closer to blue on the spectrum than blue-green. However, there is still overlap between shades. One person’s petrol may be another’s teal.
Distinguishing Dark Turquoise from Other Colors
Since dark turquoise straddles the blue and green color families, it can often be easily confused with similar shades. Here are some tips for distinguishing it from other dark cool colors:
Dark Turquoise vs Teal: Teal is brighter and more green than dark turquoise. It also lacks the richer, deeper essence. However, the dividing line can often be blurry.
Dark Turquoise vs Dark Teal: Dark teal is slightly less blue than dark turquoise. It falls right between teal and dark turquoise. Telling them apart comes down to subtle variations in hue and brightness.
Dark Turquoise vs Cyan: Cyan is a purer, more primary blue color. Dark turquoise has an evident greenness that cyan lacks. Cyan also appears brighter while dark turquoise is more muted.
Dark Turquoise vs Sapphire: Sapphire is a deeper, more saturated royal blue. It lacks the green undertones present in dark turquoise. Sapphire also has more purple tones.
Dark Turquoise vs Emerald: Emerald is a rich jewel tone green without any blueness. Dark turquoise clearly reads as a blue-green due to its stronger blue tones.
So in summary, dark turquoise differs from pure blues by having an evident greenness. It lacks the brightness of teal and primary green-blues like cyan. The richness sets it apart from both regular turquoise and teal. Paying attention to the subtle tonal differences helps identify a true dark turquoise.
Use of Dark Turquoise in Design
Dark turquoise has a sophisticated moodiness that makes it a popular choice for design. Here are some of the main ways it is utilized:
Fashion: Dark turquoise shades like peacock blue and petrol have a luxurious look. They are often seen in formalwear and business attire. Dark turquoise offers a fresher alternative to traditional blacks and navys.
Interior Design: Dark turquoise can provide an elegant pop of color as an accent wall or furniture. Its richness works well in styling bohemian, eclectic, or traditional spaces.
Packaging: Companies leverage dark turquoise’s upscale vibe in cosmetics, jewelry, and premium food packaging. It grabs attention on shelves.
Branding: Dark turquoise is a bold, memorable brand color that stands out. It is sophisticated enough for major corporations but also has a hip, creative aesthetic.
Web Design: Dark turquoise paired with white space makes for a clean, modern website color scheme. It has enough personality to seem unique.
Overall, dark turquoise toes the line between classic and trendy. It has a timelessness but with richer character than basic blues and greens. This versatility makes it a go-to shade for creating stylish, elegant visuals across industries and applications.
Dark Turquoise in Nature
While dark turquoise is a manufactured color, similar hues occur naturally in flora, minerals, and bodies of water. Here are some places you can spot different shades of dark turquoise in nature:
Gemstones: The vibrant bluish-green colors of turquoise, jade, malachite, and amazonite gemstones resemble shades of dark turquoise.
Bodies of Water: Dark turquoise can be seen in the deep tones of lakes, lagoons, and algae-filled coves. The ocean also takes on greenish-blue hues in certain lighting.
Feathers: The iridescent feathers of peacocks and mallards display rich shades of blue-green similar to dark turquoise.
Trees: Certain pine tree species like blue spruce have blue-green colored foliage in hues comparable to dusty, grayish dark turquoise.
Butterflies and Insects: Tropical butterflies and beetles sometimes flash metallic greenish-blue colors along the spectrum of dark turquoise.
Reptiles: The patterned scales of snakes and lizards can display dark turquoise tones, especially after shedding.
In nature, dark turquoise forms from a combination of structural colors, pigments, and environmental conditions. These natural occurrences demonstrate the diverse range of dark turquoise hues found in the plant and animal kingdoms.
Conclusion
Dark turquoise sits between green, blue, and teal on the color spectrum. It covers a wide gamut of rich, moody shades. Names like peacock blue, petrol, verdigris, and aqua pine describe its most common hues and tonal variations. Dark turquoise differs from pure blues and greens due to its evident blue-green character. Its sophistication makes it a popular choice for interior design, fashion, and branding applications. In nature, similar tones appear in gemstones, bodies of water, and certain flora and fauna. Overall, dark turquoise is a versatile color with natural depth, moodiness, and visual interest. Whether fabricated or found in nature, it captures the eye with its complex blend of blue and green.