The stories of my life on a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea ... and my occasional adventures beyond these shores.

Monday 1 February 2010

Thoughts on Turquoise

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The experts at Pantone (the world’s leading colour experts) have decreed that Turquoise will be the colour of 2010. It does not come as a surprise to me that this vibrant and pleasing colour has made a comeback. I have grown up surrounded by the sea and, even though it is not always turquoise, a variant of the colour is always present in the water. It is amazing just how many memories a simple colour will evoke. It is my mother’s favourite colour and whenever I see it, I think of her. Sometimes it is really hard to stop buying turquoise items for her. It is a colour I associate with my childhood because my room had turquoise curtains, my furniture had turquoise handles and my carpet was a wonderful speckled mixture of turquoise, blues, greens, yellow and white. I still think of my childhood room as a kind of oasis where I would be transported to summer in the middle of winter because I like to think that if summer had a colour it would be turquoise.
In the words of Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute® “In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color. It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky.” It is a colour which evokes images of tropical islands and beautiful gems. In my mind it is as if turquoise is bound only with happy memories and calming images. The blue undertones of the colour are very soothing whereas the green undertones provide vibrancy.
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I do not know whether I do it consciously or unconsciously but I find that whether it is in fashion or not, I like to surround myself with turquoise items, whether as a solid colour or as a print. I also have a small collection of turquoise jewellery most of which has been crafted by Native American Indians (from North America and Mexico ). As a semi-precious stone, the hues of turquoise can range from the lightest blue to the darkest green and the stones are usually speckled with brown, black or white. Apple green variants also exist depending on whether copper or iron is the prevalent mineral in the rock.
Interestingly, a white coloured turquoise was discovered in 1993 and first used in jewellery in 1996.
Turquoise is reminiscent of the 60s and of the bold floral prints of designers like Prada. It is a colour which suits all skin tones and should be worn boldly; a sunny colour which should serve to brighten up these cold, grey winter days. So if any of you are having the winter blues, throw on a bright turquoise scarf or some turquoise jewellery and think of warm summer days, because the daylight hours are already getting longer and slowly, but surely, spring will be with us soon.

10 comments:

  1. I love the color turquoise and it reminds me of the 1960's also. When I used to make quilts I would often include a few pieces of my favorite turquoise fabric just for fun.

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  2. Interesting post, Loree! Your jewelries are beautiful..I haven't thought of color as deeply as you did..Something for me to thinking about.

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  3. I love your turquoise jewelry Loree...I have a watch with similar colorations.

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  4. I used to love this colour in my younger days... in the 60's. Thanks for bringing back the memory!

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  5. Then 2010 is my year ! I love turquoise and have quite a lot of jewelry too. It's my favourite color besides red.

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  6. I love you thoughts on turquoise. I didn't really like turquoise until my mother-in-law began making jewelry with it. It's such a rich stone that dresses up any outfit.

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  7. Yay..I love turquoise too..it is so tranquil and uplifting at the same time! Awesome post..! Beautiful turquoise pics! How enchanting your room was filled with its essence! LovelY!
    Kiki~

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  8. I LOVE turqouise...I have several pieces of jewelry with both green the the turq. color!

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  9. Very interesting post. Love, love, love turquoise! My parents had two turquoise fabric couches when I was growing up (in the 60s) and our dining room chairs had turquoise fabric on the seats. After my mother passed, I inherited her turquoise jewelry. About ten years ago I saw (and purchased) my first piece of the green turquoise in a silver bracelet. I am glad to hear this is the color of 2010. =D

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  10. Love the post. I have a few turquoise bits and always get compliments when I wear them.

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