Turquoise is a bluish-green color that has long been prized for its vibrant hue. It gets its name from the semi-precious turquoise gemstone which has been popular since ancient times. Turquoise can range from a deeper teal-blue to a light greenish-blue. Lighter shades of turquoise have a subtle, cool tone that is soothing and refreshing. Determining what constitutes a lighter turquoise shade depends on how the color is being used and perceived. There are a few key ways to identify and create a lighter turquoise color.
The Color Wheel
On the traditional color wheel, turquoise sits between blue and green. To create a lighter turquoise, you generally want to add more green and white to the original turquoise color. This pushes the shade towards the lighter tints on the wheel. The exact ratio of blue to green depends on how light you want the turquoise to become. More green yields a lighter, cooler turquoise. More blue retains more vibrancy. An evenly balanced mix of blue and green will produce a pale turquoise halfway between the two hues.
Color Mixing
When working with paints, dyes, or other coloring mediums, you can lighten turquoise by adding increasing amounts of white or lighter colors. Start with a small amount of white or pale yellow mixed into the original turquoise. Adding too much white will make the turquoise look faded rather than lighter. Pale yellow adds brightness without dulling the turquoise as quickly. Slowly increase the quantity of white or yellow until you reach the desired lighter shade. Testing your mixes on a sample board is recommended so you can fine-tune the color balance.
Color Codes
For digital or web design work, lighter turquoise shades can be created using HEX, RGB, or other color codes. Most color pickers allow you to easily adjust the lightness of a selected color. For turquoise specifically, look for codes that decrease the blue and increase the green RGB values. For example:
| Original Turquoise | Lighter Turquoise |
|---|---|
| HEX: #3DD6D8 | HEX: #7EF0F2 |
| RGB: 61, 214, 216 | RGB: 126, 240, 242 |
As shown, the lighter turquoise code has higher green and blue values. This makes the shade paler while retaining its signature cool greenish-blue character.
Textile Traditions
In textile arts and design, shades of turquoise have long been created from natural plant and mineral dyes. Lightening turquoise dyed textiles involves reducing the concentration of the original dye rather than adding other colors. Methods include using shorter dyeing times, rinsing the dyed material in cool water, or diluting the dye bath with additional water. The result is a lighter, softened version of the vibrant turquoise. With botanical dyes like woad or indigo, a lighter turquoise can also be achieved by dipping the textile multiple times in weak dye baths. The color builds up gradually to the desired lighter shade.
Commercial Paint Colors
Many commercial paint brands offer pre-mixed lighter turquoise paint colors. Some popular lighter turquoise shades include:
| Paint Brand | Lighter Turquoise Colors |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Moore | Gretch Blue, Baby Turquoise, Misty Mint |
| Sherwin-Williams | Tradewind, Bracing Blue, Spa |
| Behr | Spa Day, Pelican Blue, Breezy Blue |
| Valspar | Rococo Blue, Seaside, Lake Glass |
These pre-mixed paints offer effortless lighter turquoise shades for any interior or exterior painting projects. Hardware stores will also carry smaller sample sizes so you can test colors before fully committing to a gallon of paint.
Natural Turquoise Stones
Genuine turquoise gemstones display a wide range of lighter and darker shades depending on their mineral composition. Rare “skystone” turquoise contains more concentrated veins of blue against a white rock matrix, creating a uniquely light turquoise coloring. Other naturally pale turquoise stones include lighter “chalk” turquoise as well as “faustite” turquoise which exhibits a distinctive green tint. When evaluating turquoise jewelry or decorative stones, examine vein patterns, matrix colors, and opacity to identify lighter turquoise shades. Natural variations make each stone unique.
Cultural Associations
In many cultures, lighter turquoise has its own symbolic meanings distinct from the darker or more saturated shades. For instance:
– Indigenous North American tribes associate lighter turquoise with femininity, water, and the open sky. Darker turquoise represents the earth and masculinity.
– Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations prized very pale turquoise, believing it offered protection during rituals and after death. The lighter shade connected the living and spirit worlds.
– In the Middle East, light turquoise stones and tiles were used to decorate holy sites. The cool tranquil color evoked transcendence and purity.
These traditional associations influence how different societies perceive and value lighter turquoise hues even today.
Gender Reveals
For modern gender reveal parties, lighter turquoise has become a standard color representing a baby boy alongside pink for girls. Soft, powdery turquoise works well for decorations, confetti, cakes, or other gender reveal elements. The lightness separates it from the darker teal that is sometimes used to represent females. Pastel turquoise offers the perfect light blue tone for gender reveal aesthetics centered around “boy” blue.
Interior Design
In interior decor and design, lighter turquoise colors provide a gentle aquatic ambiance. Lighter turquoises work especially well in bathrooms, kitchens, spas, or beachy spaces where the cool tone is refreshing. Use turquoise as an accent color with white trim, pale wood floors, and neutral furnishings. Or make a statement with an entire turquoise-themed room. Just be sure the turquoise is light enough to maintain a calm vibe. Dark turquoise can feel too bold and overwhelming unless used sparingly.
Weddings
For summer weddings, bridesmaids dresses in lighter shades of turquoise are popular for complementing sunny locales. A lighter turquoise adds warmth while still feeling elegantly bridal. Turquoise details can also be incorporated elsewhere into seaside or nautical weddings through accents like invitations, signage, ribbons, and cocktail napkins. Just ensure the turquoise remains light and muted so it doesn’t clash with the bride’s white dress as the focal point.
Branding
Some major consumer brands have adopted lighter turquoise shades in their logo and branding to cultivate a sense of refreshment. Examples include the iconic Tiffany’s robin egg blue, the tropical aqua of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, and the cool retro turquoise of Swiffer cleaning products. Lighter turquoises convey energy and evoke relaxation, both positive associations for sales and marketing. Just be wary of going too pale – some light turquoises can look sickly or cheap if not balanced well.
Conclusion
From color mixing to cultural symbolism, lighter turquoise has wide-ranging depth and versatility. It manages to be soothing and lively simultaneously. With the right shade and application, lighter turquoise can add a breath of fresh air to any project through its uplifting yet gentle vibrance. Whether in a breezy beach cottage, favorite T-shirt, or brand new eye shadow palette, this cool aquatic hue offers endlessly inspiring possibilities.
