'Turkish stone' in French — it reached Europe via Turkey, though the mines were actually in Persia.
An opaque blue-to-green mineral, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, valued as a gemstone; also, the blue-green color of this stone.
From Middle English 'turkeis,' from Old French '(pierre) turquoise' — literally 'Turkish (stone).' The name arose because the mineral was first introduced to Europe through Turkey, imported from mines in Persia (modern Iran) via Turkish traders and trade routes. The stone did not originate in Turkey itself. 'Turquoise' is thus a French feminine adjective meaning 'Turkish,' from 'Turc' (Turk) + '-oise' (feminine adjectival suffix). The Persians called the stone 'fīrūze' (فیروزه, turquoise), from 'fīrūz' (victorious). Key roots: Turc (French (from Medieval Latin
Turquoise is named after Turkey, but Turkey has no significant turquoise deposits. The stone came from Persia (Iran), where it had been mined for over 5,000 years at Nishapur. Turkish merchants merely transported it westward. Similarly, 'turkey' (the bird) is named after Turkey because the bird was confused with a different fowl imported through Ottoman trade routes. Turkey has lent its name to things