turquoise

[ tur-koiz, -kwoiz ]

noun

1. Also turquois. an opaque mineral, a basic hydrous copper aluminum phosphate often containing a small amount of iron, sky-blue or greenish-blue in color, cut cabochon as a gem. Compare bone turquoise.
2. Also called turquoise blue. a greenish blue or bluish green.

turquoise

/ -kwɑːz; ˈtɜːkwɔɪz /

noun

1. a greenish-blue fine-grained secondary mineral consisting of hydrated copper aluminium phosphate. It occurs in igneous rocks rich in aluminium and is used as a gemstone. Formula: CuAl 6 (PO 4 ) 4 (OH) 8 .4H 2 O
2. 1. the colour of turquoise
   2. ( as adjective )

      a turquoise dress

turquoise

/ tûr′kwoiz′,-koiz′ /

1. A blue to bluish-green or yellowish-green triclinic mineral that occurs in reniform (kidney-shaped) masses with surfaces shaped like a bunch of grapes, especially in aluminum-rich igneous rocks such as trachyte. In its polished blue form it is prized as a gem. Chemical formula: CuAl 6 (PO 4 ) 4 (OH) 8 ·5H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of turquoise¹

1350–1400; < French: Turkish (stone), equivalent to Turc Turk + -oise, feminine of -ois -ese; replacing Middle English turkeis < Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of turquoise¹

C14: from Old French turqueise Turkish (stone)

Example Sentences

“It’s a nod to joyful abandon,” said Emenegger, 53, who added beeswax, sewing thread and bits of turquoise and coral to an old family photo for her contribution.

From Washington Post

He then piled boulders in front of the walkway, the public’s only corridor to this stretch of beach in Mokuleia, a coastal community rimmed by shimmering, turquoise water.

From ProPublica

The shades of peach and turquoise that recur in David Carlson’s recent paintings are clean and gentle, like colors a parent might choose for the new baby’s room.

From Washington Post

A photo from last July shows Stewart immersed in the turquoise water of the Bahamas, head tilted back toward the sun, wet hair draped over her shoulders.

From ProPublica

We each designed half the backgrounds, all in turquoise, and each animated one character.

From MIT Technology Review

Below lies the turquoise waters of the caldera, flecked with the white triangles of sailing boats.

From The Daily Beast

Then the air suddenly turns still, the downpour stops, and the sky transforms from grey to turquoise.

From The Daily Beast

Farah channeled Hollywood's Golden Age as she rocked a full-length turquoise and blinding sparkles mermaid dress.

From The Daily Beast

I also like the turquoise blue color of the chips or beads that the kids are stringing together into that intricate design.

From The Daily Beast

The opening look combined a light turquoise, slinky evening gown with a mauve headpiece.

From The Daily Beast

The lady was sitting gazing out from her window on the second floor of the Hotel de Russie upon the sunlit tranquil turquoise sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Looking across its waters of turquoise blue, they now made out that which had so puzzled them before.

From Project Gutenberg

This principality was small, but there was a deal of wealth in it because of its emerald mines and turquoise pits.

From Project Gutenberg

Then to finish all, Margaret wore in the lace at her throat, a great brooch of turquoise matrix, which matched her eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

"It's Emma Leveson's ring," said Charles, picking up the little turquoise from among the dust at his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aquamarine

More About Turquoise

What does turquoise mean?

Turquoise is an opaque sky-blue or greenish-blue mineral commonly used as a gemstone. It can also be yellowish-green, but it’s best known for its greenish-blue variety.

It’s also sometimes spelled turquois, but this is much less common.

Turquoise is categorized as a semiprecious stone, which is a classification used for stones considered to have a lower value than those deemed precious. Turquoise that is more blue than green is often more valuable.

Turquoise is commonly used in jewelry, though some pieces sold as turquoise may be artificial or only turquoise-colored. Turquoise used in jewelry is often cut in the form of a cabochon, an oval shape that’s polished but not faceted. In the U.S., turquoise jewelry is especially associated with Native American artisans, particularly from tribes primarily based in the Southwest, such as the Hopi and Navajo.

Turquoise is one of the birthstones for the month of December. It is associated with the zodiac signs Sagitarrius and Capricorn.

The word turquoise is also commonly used as the name of a teal or sky-blue color (like the color of the stone).

Example: The Caribbean Sea is known for its turquoise-blue waters.

Where does turquoise come from?

The first records of the word turquoise in English come from the mid-1300s. It comes from a French word meaning “Turkish (stone).”

Turquoise was originally mined and traded from the Sinai Peninsula and the region around what is now Iran. It has been traded since at least the time of Ancient Egypt. Trade routes to Europe often went through Turkey, which is likely the source of its name. It is also found in the Southwest U.S., where it has long been used by Native Americans.

Turquoise is composed of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate. It occurs in arid areas where there is circulating groundwater—the stone itself is a mineral deposited from these waters. It is typically found in masses with surfaces shaped like a bunch of grapes, especially in aluminum-rich igneous rocks such as trachyte.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to turquoise?

• turquois (alternate spelling)

What are some synonyms for turquoise (the color)?

• teal
• aqua

What are some words that share a root or word element with turquoise? 

• turquoise green
• bone turquoise

What are some words that often get used in discussing turquoise?

• gemstone
• gem
• stone
• mineral
• jewelry
• birthstone
• December
• Navajo
• Hopi

How is turquoise used in real life?

The gemstone turquoise is commonly used in jewelry and is especially associated with its use by Native American artisans from tribes such as the Navajo and Hopi. It is often paired with silver. The word turquoise is also commonly used as the name of the color of the stone.

Natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise earrings by Navajo jeweler, Andrew Vanderver, available at https://t.co/NCCzCONhFZ pic.twitter.com/dCuLj0VEXE

— Gathering Tribes (@GatheringTribes) November 22, 2021

✨The Triple Stone Turquoise Ring (Size 8.5)✨ pic.twitter.com/z5CoN15dhE

— ☆NY Texas Style Boutique ☆ (@NyTexasStyle) November 27, 2021

The beautiful turquoise waters at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge are part of the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert #Nevada pic.twitter.com/V6Ut5rasAC

— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) February 25, 2021

 

Try using turquoise!

True or False?

Turquoise comes from a word meaning “Turkish.”