Quick Answer
Aqua and turquoise are both shades of blue-green color. Aqua leans more towards green, while turquoise leans more towards blue. So turquoise generally appears “bluer” than aqua. However, the exact shades can vary depending on specific pigments, dyes or computer RGB values used.
What are Aqua and Turquoise Colors?
Aqua and turquoise are both shades of blue-green color that fall somewhere between blue and green on the color wheel.
Aqua Color
Aqua is a lighter, brighter shade of cyan that inclines more towards green. The word aqua comes from the Latin term for water. As the name suggests, aqua evokes the colors of clear water in tropical seas.
The precise definition of aqua varies across different color models:
| Color Model | Aqua Definition |
| RGB | R: 0, G: 255, B: 255 |
| CMYK | C: 100, M: 0, Y: 0, K: 0 |
| HSV | H: 180°, S: 100%, V: 100% |
| Pantone | Pantone 3252 C |
As these color values show, aqua has full saturation and value in the HSV model. In the RGB model, it is created by mixing full green and blue channels, with no red.
Turquoise Color
Turquoise is a slightly deeper, richer shade of blue-green. It inclines more towards blue rather than green.
The early turquoise gemstone originated in the Sinai Peninsula and was first imported to Europe through Turkey. This association gave rise to the name “turquoise” which came via the French for “Turkish.”
Some definitions of turquoise color:
| Color Model | Turquoise Definition |
| RGB | R: 64, G: 224, B: 208 |
| CMYK | C: 70, M: 0, Y: 15, K: 12 |
| HSV | H: 174°, S: 72%, V: 88% |
| Pantone | Pantone 3125 C |
Compared to aqua, turquoise has slightly less saturation and value. It also mixes in some red and black pigment rather than just green and blue. This gives it that deeper, richer blue tone.
Aqua vs. Turquoise: How Are They Different?
While aqua and turquoise are both shades of blue-green, they have some key differences:
Hue
– Aqua has a hue angle of 180° while turquoise is around 174°. This means turquoise leans slightly more towards blue than aqua on the color wheel.
Saturation
– Aqua has full, 100% saturation while turquoise has slightly less saturation at around 72%. This makes aqua appear more vibrant.
Brightness
– Likewise, aqua has full 100% brightness while turquoise is slightly darker at 88% brightness. This also makes aqua pop more.
Mixing
– Aqua consists of mixing full green and blue, with no red. Turquoise mixes in some red and black to dull it down slightly from the bright aqua.
Uses
– Aqua is a bold accent color often used in fashion. Turquoise has more of a retro, earthy feel and is associated with Native American art.
Which Color Appears “Bluer”
Given these differences, turquoise generally appears “bluer” than aqua due to:
– Its hue being a few degrees closer to blue than green.
– Having slightly less saturation and brightness to mute the greenness.
– Mixing some red pigment into the color rather than just green and blue.
All of these factors push turquoise closer towards a true blue than aqua.
However, it also depends on the specific shade. There are brighter variations of turquoise and deeper, more muted variations of aqua. The only way to tell which appears bluer is to directly compare their RGB or other color values.
For example, here are two shades of aqua and turquoise:
| Color | RGB Values | Appears Bluer? |
|---|---|---|
| Lighter Aqua | R: 126, G: 229, B: 217 | Aqua |
| Deeper Turquoise | R: 0, G: 128, B: 128 | Turquoise |
Here, the lighter aqua shade actually appears bluer than the deeper turquoise. So you can have brighter aquas that look more blue than some darker turquoises and vice versa.
How Lighting Affects Aqua vs. Turquoise
The lighting conditions also impact how blue aqua and turquoise appear.
Under natural daylight conditions, aqua and turquoise retain their greenish-blue tones. However, under incandescent or candle light bulbs which emit warmer, yellower light, the colors will start to take on a greener tone.
This effect occurs because the yellowish light mixes with the blue to shift it towards green. Turquoise has more innate blue so it maintains a bluer appearance under warm light than aqua does.
For example, an aqua painting may look distinctly blue-green under daylight, but then shift to look clearly green under incandescent light at night.
The turquoise painting will also shift towards green under warm lighting but generally not as extremely as the aqua.
Uses of Aqua vs. Turquoise
Despite their subtle differences, aqua and turquoise are often used interchangeably in various applications:
Fashion
Both aqua and turquoise are popular fashion colors, especially for accessories. However, aqua has a more modern, vibrant feel suited to summer colors. Turquoise carries more vintage, retro vibes.
Interiors
In home décor, aqua and turquoise add a fresh watery feel. Aqua creates energetic, contemporary spaces while turquoise leans more boho or traditional.
Technology
In early computers, aqua and turquoise were popular colors for monitors, cases and other hardware, giving a cool, futuristic aesthetic.
Cars
Many cars from the 1950s-1960s came in pastel shades like aqua or turquoise, evoking the colorful era. Turquoise became especially linked with muscle cars.
Graphics
In logos, websites, and other graphics, aqua or turquoise create a soothing, inviting mood. Aqua feels more modern while turquoise skews retro.
Conclusion
In summary, turquoise generally appears “bluer” than aqua due to its slightly deeper hue, lower saturation, and mix of blue with green and red. However, the exact comparison depends on the specific shades used, as well as the lighting conditions. Both remain popular shades that span the range between green and blue. Aqua feels more contemporary and vibrant, while turquoise carries retro and vintage associations.
