Turquoise is a striking bluish-green color that has been prized for millennia. The vibrant hue evokes the beautiful blue waters of tropical seas and the green forests of faraway lands. But with so many shades of turquoise, how can one determine the “most beautiful” turquoise color? In this article, we will examine the qualities that make turquoise colors appealing and look at some of the most beloved turquoise tones throughout history to help identify the most beautiful turquoise.
What Makes Turquoise Colors Beautiful?
There are several key factors that contribute to a beautiful turquoise color:
– Vibrancy – Vibrant, saturated turquoise colors tend to be more eye-catching and pleasing than dull or faded turquoise shades. The intensity of the color is important.
– Balance of blue and green – The ideal turquoise has a balanced mix of blue and green tones. Too much blue starts looking like a regular blue, while too much green makes it appear more like a mint green. The perfect balance creates that unique turquoise look.
– Hue – While turquoise covers a range of shades, the most beautiful turquoises tend to have a bluish-green hue leaning slightly more blue than green. This vibrant blueish teal is the quintessential turquoise for many.
– Consistency – A solid, consistent turquoise with an even hue throughout is more appealing than a mottled or patchy turquoise.
– Naturalness – Natural turquoise gemstones and dyes tend to have depth and richness, while synthetic turquoises can look flat and dull. The most beautiful turquoises use natural materials.
History’s Most Prized Turquoise Colors
Looking back through history gives us an idea of which shades of turquoise have been most treasured over time. Some iconic turquoise colors that stand out include:
Persian Turquoise – This vibrant turquoise was mined in Iran (formerly Persia) and was extremely popular for jewelry and ornaments among Persian royalty dating back to the 12th century. The vivid blue-green gemstones were used to adorn crowns, daggers, and jewelry in the royal court.
Tibetan Turquoise – Highly prized by Tibetan artisans for thousands of years, Tibetan turquoise has a striking blue hue with remarkable consistency and few matrix patterns. The color became symbolic of Tibetan cultural identity.
Southwestern Turquoise – Mined extensively by Native American tribes like the Navajo and Apache peoples across the Southwestern United States, the blue-green stones were used for spiritual amulets and jewelry. The vivid blue tones captured the colors of the desert sky.
Egyptian Turquoise – The blue-green color reminiscent of the Blue Nile River Valley was adored by ancient Egyptian nobility. The gems were crafted into jewelry, ornaments, and ritual objects and were believed to have protective powers.
Art Deco Turquoise – A trendy teal-blue turquoise became ubiquitous in 1920s Art Deco fashion. Clothing, architecture, and household objects featured this cool greenish-blue shade that encapsulated the style’s sleek, streamlined aesthetic.
Most Beautiful Natural Turquoise Stones
When it comes to natural turquoise gemstones renowned for their exquisite color, a few of the most beautiful varieties include:
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise – This vivid blue turquoise with no matrix from Arizona is highly valuable and desired for its stunning uniform color. It has a Medium Persian blue hue.
Persian Turquoise – As mentioned earlier, Persian turquoise from Iran has been cherished since antiquity for its bright robin’s egg blue tone with no matrix.
Kingman Turquoise – This turquoise mined in Arizona has a beautiful blue-green color with a balanced color distribution free of matrix.
Blue Gem Turquoise – Discovered in Nevada, this turquoise is a striking light blue reminiscent of robin’s egg blue with dark blue matrix webbing.
Bisbee Turquoise – Another Arizona turquoise, Bisbee is known for its deep ocean blue color with brown matrix flecks. It’s one of the rarest American turquoises.
Most Popular Turquoise Gemstone Cuts
The way a turquoise gemstone is cut also impacts its color and beauty. Here are some of the most popular cuts for maximizing a turquoise stone’s color:
– Cabochon – Smooth dome shape that showcases the stone’s color depth
– Oval – Elegant elongated shape, highlights color consistency across the stone
– Round – Displays the color evenly in all directions
– Freeform – Organic, asymmetrical shapes that follow the natural contours of the stone
– Turtleback – Rounded dome with a wavy, rippled surface pattern
Most Flattering Turquoise Clothing Colors
Turquoise clothing colors look different against the skin depending on their hue, intensity, and accompanying colors. Here are some of the most beautiful and figure-flattering turquoise clothing shades for different complexions:
For fair, cool-toned complexions – Bold Persian blue turquoise, muted seafoam turquoise
For fair, warm-toned complexions – Vibrant teal turquoise, light Tiffany blue
For medium, olive complexions – Deep teal turquoise, bright aqua turquoise
For dark, warm complexions – Vibrant lime turquoise, azure turquoise, darker teal turquoise
The depth of the turquoise hue should contrast nicely with the skin while complementing the warmth or coolness of the complexion.
Most Popular Turquoise Dyes
Textile dyeing has used a wide array of turquoise dyes throughout history. Here are some of the most brilliant and influential:
– Natural Indigo – Used for centuries to dye clothing and textiles, the deep blue pigment creates a vivid turquoise.
– Synthetic Indigo – The first synthetic dye, invented in 1878, made turquoise clothing more affordable.
– Phthalocyanine Green – Discovered in 1928, this stable blue-green dye is ideal for turquoise hues.
– Copper Phthalocyanine Blue – This bright turquoise blue dye was first synthesized in 1935.
– Victoria Blue BO – A classic turquoise dye used for cotton, silk, and paper since the late 1800s.
Most Complementary Colors for Turquoise
Turquoise colors look stunning alongside certain other hues. Ideal color pairings include:
– Coral – The vibrant pinkish-orange makes turquoise pop
– Terracotta – Earthy reddish hues contrast beautifully with turquoise
– Gold – The shiny, warm yellow glow enhances turquoise
– White – Crisp white intensifies the saturation of turquoise
– Silver – Cool metallic silver brings out blue undertones in turquoise
– Greige – Combining gray and beige neutralizes and balances vivid turquoise
Conclusion
In the end, beauty is subjective, and turquoise spans a wide spectrum of shades. But by looking at historical preferences, color qualities, and usage across cultures, we can determine that the quintessential most beautiful turquoise colors tend to be vivid, moderately-saturated blue-green hues like Medium Persian blue and light Tibetan teal that showcase the color’s natural depth and richness. Turquoise gemstones, fabrics, and objects in these ideal vibrant blueish-green tones have captivated people for centuries and are likely to remain the gold standard for beautiful turquoises into the future.
| Type | Most Beautiful Turquoise Varieties |
|---|---|
| Gemstones | Sleeping Beauty, Persian, Kingman |
| Clothing | Bold Persian blue, vibrant teal |
| Dyes | Natural indigo, phthalocyanine green |
