Turquoise Color and the Color Turquoise

Is all turquoise turquoise color? Learn about this gem's most popular natural colors and how people have prized them for millennia.

8 Minute Read

Home Learning Center Gemology Physical and Optical Properties of GemstonesTurquoise Color and the Color Turquoise

By Emily Frontiere, International Gem Society

Where Does the Word “Turquoise” Come From?

The English word “turquoise,” now used as the name of a gemstone and color, originated in 13th-century France. It cones from the French word turquois for “Turkish.” The people of Medieval Europe believed this gem came from what is now known as Turkey. To them, the stone likely had strong associations not only with the color but also with the assumed source. To these Europeans, turquoise was a colorful gem from an exotic location. Many modern European languages also use a similar name for this gem: turkoois in Dutch, turchese in Italian, turkus in Polish, for example.

Other cultures and languages have different

…

Emily Frontiere

Emily Frontiere is a GIA Graduate Gemologist. She is particularly experienced working with estate/antique jewelry.

View All Articles

International Gem Society

View All Articles

Joel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Turquoise Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

With striking sky blue to blue-green colors, turquoise has been prized by cultures all over the world for over 5,000...

CustomMade. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Appraising Turquoise: Challenges for Gemologists

What do gemologists need to know when appraising turquoise? Learn what are the main value factors to consider and the...

Douglas Magnus</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Turquoise Hill: a Profile of the Cerrillos Turquoise Mines

Turquoise Hill in New Mexico is the oldest turquoise mine in North America. Learn the history of this amazing site...

Heart-shaped, 49-ct cabochon doublet</a>, cut from stabilized turquoise rough from Kingman, Arizona. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/turquoise-color/"https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/49erMinerals?ref=l2-shopheader-name%22>49erMinerals. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Turquoise Treatments and Synthetics Guide

Almost all turquoises receive enhancements for jewelry use. Learn how to identify the most common turquoise treatments and synthetic options....

Latest Articles

Pastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/turquoise-color/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...

Photo courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/turquoise-color/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/turquoise-color/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...

Tanzanian Corundum

Is This a Topazolite Garnet?

Nigerian Gemstones

Is This an Opal?

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!