Turquoise is a bright blue-green color, like the shallow waters of a tropical ocean or the sky on a perfect summer morning. The word comes from a gemstone of the same striking color, prized for thousands of years in jewelry and art.

The turquoise gemstone forms naturally in dry, rocky regions when water containing copper seeps through stone over millions of years. Ancient Egyptians mined turquoise in the Sinai Peninsula 5,000 years ago, while Native American peoples in the American Southwest have treasured turquoise for centuries, using it in jewelry, ceremonial objects, and trade.

The color turquoise sits between blue and green on the spectrum. It's the color of swimming pool water on a sunny day, or the feathers of certain tropical birds. Artists and designers love turquoise because it feels both calming and energizing, combining the peacefulness of blue with the vitality of green.

When describing something as turquoise, you're being specific: it's not quite the deep blue of the ocean depths, nor the pure green of grass, but that special in-between shade that seems to shimmer and glow. A turquoise bicycle, turquoise paint on a wall, or turquoise wrapping paper all share that distinctive, eye-catching color.