A typically dressed Tibetan, including their ardornos in turquoise. The turquoise is mined in eastern Tibet, western, and around Lhasa. The richness of color is the determining factor in the value of a turquoise: In general, most desirable color is dark blue, however, in Tibet are most valued more greenish blue. It is believed that the word turquoise comes from the relationship with Turkey as a country where traded since antiquity, although in Turkey are not Turks. It was probably the first to be introduced in Europe through Turkey, along with other products from the Silk Road. The turquoise did not become important until an ornamental stone the fourteenth century. The stones were exported to Germany, where they were known as Turkish Steins, which translates as "Turkish stone". When the stones arrived in France, the German name means turquoise Pierre - stone from Turkey.