Turquoise

Turquoise (?; 277) , noun

[French turquoise; compare Pr. & Sp. turquesa, Italian turchese, turchina, Late Latin turchesius, turchina; -- so called because first brought from Turkey. See 1st Turkey.]

(Mineralogy) A hydrous phosphate of alumina containing a little copper; calaite. It has a blue, or bluish green, color, and usually occurs in reniform masses with a botryoidal surface.

Turquoise is susceptible of a high polish, and when of a bright blue color is much esteemed as a gem. The finest specimens come from Persia. It is also found in New Mexico and Arizona, and is regarded as identical with the chalchihuitl of the Mexicans.

Also: Turquois

Turquoise , adjective

Having a fine light blue color, like that of choice mineral turquoise.