Turquoise (/ˈtɜːrk(w)ɔɪz/ TUR-k(w)oyz), also known as Persian blue, is a blue-green color based on the mineral of the same name. The word turquoise dates back to the 17th century and derives from the French turquoise, meaning “Turkish”, as the mineral was first introduced to Europe via Turkey from mines in the historic Khorasan province of Iran (Persia) and Afghanistan . The first recorded use of turquoise as a color name in English was in 1573. The X11 color named Turquoise is shown at right.