Exploring Turquoise Gemstone Color History and Its Cultural Journey Through Time
- Yana Evans
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Tracing Turquoise: The Blue-Green Gemstone’s Journey from Persia to the Americas
Turquoise is that beautiful blue-green color named after the mineral itself, and its history stretches back thousands of years across continents. The name “turquoise” actually comes from the French word turques, meaning “Turkish.” But here’s an interesting detail—the stone wasn’t originally from Turkey. It was first mined as early as 3000 BCE in ancient Persia, in what’s now Iran and Afghanistan. These areas are famous for some of the oldest and highest-quality turquoise mines in the world.
So how did turquoise make its way to Europe? The stones were transported along major ancient trade routes, especially the Silk Road, which started to develop around 130 BCE and flourished over the next several centuries. The Silk Road was a vast network of routes connecting East Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East to Europe. Turquoise traveled west through Persia, then through Turkey—an important trading hub at the time—and eventually reached Europe. This trade route is why Europeans associated the stone with Turkey and named it “turquoise.”
Long before the Renaissance period (which began in the 14th century), turquoise had already crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Native American tribes like the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni found turquoise deposits in the Southwestern United States, with archaeological evidence showing turquoise use in the region dating back to around 200 BCE to 1000 CE. For these tribes, turquoise was much more than a decorative stone; it was sacred, symbolizing life, protection, and a connection to the sky and water. They became highly skilled in crafting turquoise jewelry, a tradition passed down for generations.
As for the color itself—why turquoise looks so blue-green—that comes down to its chemistry, a key part of the turquoise gemstone color history. The mineral’s blue hue comes from copper, while iron adds greenish tones. This unique combination creates the vibrant shade that has been prized for thousands of years.
Turquoise Gemstone Color History: A Journey Through Cultural Symbolism and Artistic Magic
Turquoise has never been just a pretty color — it’s been a meaningful symbol across many cultures and centuries.
Back in ancient Egypt (around 3000 BCE to 1000 BCE), turquoise was incredibly valuable and mostly reserved for royalty and the elite. Pharaohs like Tutankhamun (ruled circa 1332–1323 BCE) had turquoise inlays on their burial masks and jewelry, showing it was a precious stone linked to protection and power. Because mining and trading turquoise were difficult and the stone was rare, only wealthy nobles, priests, and rulers could afford it.
Moving east to Persia, especially during the Sassanian Empire (224–651 CE), turquoise was considered a symbol of heaven on earth, purity, and immortality. It was expensive and often used to decorate the palaces and mosques of kings and high-ranking officials. Persian rulers like Khosrow I (reigned 531–579 CE) valued turquoise so much it adorned royal thrones and crowns.
In medieval Europe, during the Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries), turquoise was still rare and costly, mostly accessible to aristocrats and wealthy patrons of the arts. Since the gemstone itself was difficult to obtain, artists and craftsmen made pigments and glass imitations to capture its stunning blue-green shade for use in paintings, mosaics, and glassware for churches and royal courts.
And in North America, Native American tribes such as the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni valued turquoise for its spiritual meaning, but it was also precious and sometimes a sign of status. Turquoise jewelry was worn during important ceremonies and was often traded as a form of wealth.
In all these cultures, turquoise was more than decoration — it was a status symbol and a stone with spiritual or protective powers, often limited to those who could afford the rare gem.
One of the most famous and still breathtaking uses of turquoise is found in the Persian turquoise tiles decorating the Shah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran, built in 1611–1629 CE. These tiles show how the color was used to symbolize divine beauty and spiritual power in royal and sacred spaces.
