Turquoise
#40E0D0
Color Values
Color Meaning
Turquoise represents healing, protection, and wisdom. It's associated with emotional balance, tranquility, and spiritual insight. This color has been valued in many cultures for centuries.
Learn more on WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions About Turquoise
What two colors make turquoise?
Turquoise is made by mixing blue and green with a small amount of yellow. The typical ratio is about 2 parts blue, 1 part green, and a touch of yellow for warmth. The result is a bright, blue-green color.
How do you make light turquoise?
Light turquoise is made by mixing turquoise with white, or by mixing blue with green and more white than blue. The result is a soft, pastel blue-green.
What colors make dark turquoise?
Dark turquoise is made by mixing more blue than green, or by adding a small amount of black to turquoise. The result is a deep, rich blue-green color.
The History of Turquoise
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones and pigments in human history — ancient Egyptian jewelry from 3000 BCE shows turquoise set in gold, and the stone was mined in the Sinai Peninsula for millennia. The word itself entered English from French 'turquois' meaning 'Turkish stone,' because the gemstone reached Europe via Turkish trade routes from Persian mines. In pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, turquoise was more valuable than gold to the Aztec and Maya civilizations: Aztec rulers wore turquoise mosaic masks, and turquoise was offered to the gods. In the American Southwest, Navajo, Zuni, and Pueblo peoples have crafted turquoise jewelry for over 2,000 years in a living tradition still vital today. The color was relatively difficult to reproduce artificially until modern synthetic pigment chemistry.
Cultural Significance
Turquoise holds protective and sacred status across an extraordinary range of cultures. In Persian and Islamic cultures, turquoise is a stone of protection — blue turquoise tiles cover the domes of Iranian mosques (most famously the Imam Mosque in Isfahan) as symbols of heaven and divine blessing. In Tibetan Buddhism, turquoise is one of the most sacred colors, associated with healing and the sky element. In Native American traditions, turquoise is called 'the sky stone' and is believed to connect the earth to the heavens; it is worn for protection, strength, and good fortune. In ancient Egypt, turquoise represented the goddess Hathor and was placed in tombs to protect the deceased. In modern Western culture, Tiffany blue — a specific turquoise-robin's-egg blue — has become synonymous with luxury jewelry.
Color Psychology
Turquoise is psychologically one of the most balanced and calming colors, combining the serenity of blue with the refreshing quality of green to create a color uniquely associated with clear water, tropical seas, and open sky. Research suggests turquoise environments lower heart rate and blood pressure while promoting clear thinking and communication — it is associated with the expression of ideas and emotional clarity. In color therapy, turquoise is used to address communication difficulties and to create a sense of emotional space. Turquoise is perceived as both calming and invigorating — it refreshes without overstimulating. In consumer psychology, turquoise is associated with authenticity, clarity, and a connection to nature, making it popular in health, wellness, and eco-conscious branding.
Design Tips for Turquoise
Turquoise is a highly versatile accent color that energizes neutral palettes. The classic combination of turquoise with coral/terracotta creates a vibrant yet balanced palette inspired by coastal and Southwestern aesthetics. For digital design, #06B6D4 (Tailwind's cyan-500) and #0D9488 (teal-600) offer accessible, modern turquoise tones. Pair turquoise with warm sand (#F5DEB3) and white for a fresh beach-resort aesthetic. In interior design, a turquoise accent wall in a room with white walls and natural wood creates an energizing focal point without overwhelming. Accessibility note: medium turquoises struggle on white backgrounds — #0E7490 or darker is needed for WCAG AA text compliance. Turquoise works exceptionally well in data visualization as a 'positive' or 'highlight' color distinct from both blue and green.