All of us can differentiate between primary and secondary colors such as red, blue, yellow, etc. However, it can get tricky for a lot of people to differentiate between tertiary colors.
In today’s artistic world, you will hear about a lot of tertiary colors such as teal, violet, turquoise, amber, chartreuse, and many more. In this article, we will help you distinguish teal and turquoise easily.
So, what is the difference between teal and turquoise? The main difference is that teal is a darker color that leans more towards green, while turquoise is a lighter color with a hint of yellow.
Read on to know more!
What Is Teal?
Teal is a greenish-blue color that is named after the bird Eurasian teal. It is a darker shade of cyan with low saturation which makes it easier for the eyes to look at.
This beautiful color is often associated with peace of mind and tranquillity. It combines the sense of nature from green and the royal feel from blue.
Teal is available in two types such as teal blue and teal green depending on the color composition.
The teal color is present in various things around you. For instance, you can find it on some dragonflies, different kinds of butterflies, fungi, Ampelopsis Sinica fruit, teal apatite, ducks, and some kingfisher birds. Moreover, did you know that some humans also have teal-colored eyes?
To mix this color, you will need to add small pigments of blue and green to a white base until you get the right shade.
What is Turquoise?
Turquoise is a blue-to-green color that is named after a mineral found in nature. This mineral is very rare and has been prized as a gemstone.
Unlike teal, turquoise is a brighter color, which gives it a sense of energy instead of calmness. In fact, some people believe that turquoise gemstones are holy stones that bring good fortune and happiness to whoever owns them.
Turquoise is a rare color in nature. You will not see it quite as often as teal. The main source of this color is the turquoise stone which is rare to find. However, the color of some lakes and oceans can look turquoise in different seasons.
To mix this color, you will need to add small pigments of blue and green with a dash of yellow to give the color its unique brightness.
Differences Between Teal and Turquoise
The two colors are greenish-blue, however, each of them has different characteristics that make it unique. Here are some of the differences between the two colors:
Definition
Teal is a dark greenish-blue color that leans more towards green. On the other hand, turquoise is a bright blue-to-green color that leans more towards the color cyan.
Origin
Both teal and turquoise colors may have many similarities but their origins differ significantly.
The teal color originates from the bird, Eurasian teal, which has a similar color stripe on its head.
Alternatively, the turquoise color originates from the gem of the same name. The turquoise word itself originates from the French word Turquois which translates to ‘Turkish’. It is because the Turquoise gem first came to Europe through Turkey.
Culture
Culturally, teal is a unique color that attracts unique people. It is popular among meditators and those who like to contemplate. People who choose teal as their favorite color are often thoughtful and reliable.
On the other hand, turquoise is perceived as a holy gemstone among certain cultures. So, people wear it as a bracelet or a necklace to protect them from any harm and to bring good fortune.
Psychology
Teal commonly represents nature, peace of mind, calmness, tranquility, and optimism. It is a very elegant color that shares the beauty of both green and blue.
Meanwhile, turquoise is more commonly associated with uplifting energy and good vibes, and positivity.
Color Composition
According to the RGB system, both teal and turquoise have separate color compositions.
For instance, teal consists of 0% red, 50.2% green, and 50.2% blue whereas turquoise consists of 18.8% red, 83.5% green and 78.4% blue.
Moreover, teal has a dark hue whereas turquoise has a light one.
Comparison Chart: Teal Vs Turquoise
| Category | Teal | Turquoise |
| Definition | Greenish-blue color | Blue-to-green color |
| Gender | Neutral | Female |
| Hexadecimal Code | #008080 | #30D5C8 |
| Hue | Dark | Light |
| Complementary Colors | Maroon and dark orange | Tangerine and coral |
| Symbolization | Teal symbolizes peace of mind, clarity, and rejuvenation. | Turquoise symbolizes energy, wisdom, happiness, and freshness. |
Similarities Between Teal and Turquoise
Teal and turquoise are quite similar colors and it can get confusing for people to differentiate between them.
The two colors are shades of greenish-blue. They are a combination of green and blue mixed in different amounts.
However, teal is darker and leans towards green more than blue. On the contrary, turquoise is lighter and leans towards blue more than green.
Complementary Colors for Teal and Turquoise
In order to know the best complementary color for any color that you want, you will need to look at the opposite color on the color wheel.
For instance, the color greenish-blue has a reddish-orange on the opposite side of the color wheel. Hence, reddish-orange makes a perfect complementary color for greenish-blue.
Since teal and turquoise are different shades of greenish-blue, different shades of reddish-orange will make a perfect match.
To be precise, the best complementary colors for teal are maroon and dark orange. Meanwhile, the best complementary colors for turquoise are tangerine and coral.
Frequently Asked Questions
🧐 Are Teal And Turquoise the Same Color?
No, teal and turquoise are not the same color. While they both are shades of greenish-blue, each of them has its own characteristics. Mainly, teal is a darker color that leans towards green but turquoise is a lighter color.
💍 Do Teal and Turquoise Go Together?
Of course! Both are shades of the same color which is greenish-blue, meaning that they can go together perfectly.
🟦 Is Teal More Blue or Turquoise?
Turquoise is a bright color that leans more towards blue whereas teal is darker and can be more greenish.
💧 Is Turquoise Close to Aqua or Teal?
Turquoise and Aqua are both light colors that tend to look like cyan whereas teal is dark with a hint of black in it. So, turquoise is closer to aqua than teal.
Final Thoughts
Teal and turquoise are both rare and unique colors. Yet, the slight color differences between the two set them apart.
Teal is easy for the eyes to look at due to its darker hue and it brings calmness and peace whereas turquoise is on the brighter side and brings uplifting energy.
