Persian turquoise takes centre stage in Iran’s mining landscape, with only the Neyshabur mine dedicated to its manufacturing among the country’s three chief reservoirs. Baghu turquoise sources from the copper and gold reserve, Kuh Zar, while Shahr-I Babak turquoise emerges from the porphyry copper deposit Meiduk. The extraction techniques at Meiduk and Kuh Zar primarily focus on gold and copper extraction rather than the vibrant hues of turquoise. Despite the alluring colour of Baghu turquoise, the Kuh Zar mine currently shows no official turquoise production.

On the other hand, the Meiduk open-pit mine collaborates with the Shahr-e Babak turquoise cooperative to handle the turquoise extracted during the copper mining process. The reliance on open-pit mining introduces fluctuations in turquoise yield. If a turquoise vein emerges at one of the lateral tiers known as benches, the mine can generate an average of 3 tons per month. However, manufacturing may halt for months. Neyshabur, Iran’s largest turquoise mine, employs over 200 people and produces an average of four tons of bumpy turquoise per month, with an annual output of 40 to 42 tons. Interestingly, while the Main passageway is the largest, the Zahk tunnel contributes to more than 70 per cent of the mine’s turquoise.

Persian Turquoise: From Mining to Marketing

Neyshabur rough turquoise is divided into four classes based on colour, permeability, shape, and size.

• Turquoise slabs and nuggets of type I. Turquoise fills cavities and veins, resulting in nuggets and slabs. These are highly compressed, usually infallible, and have been extracted from the host rock. Nuggets and slabs have consistent colour and can be used to create high-end finished turquoise. Colour is classified into three levels based on saturation. The first grade has the most vibrant colours. The second grade, known as “half colour “10 among locals, has less concentrated blue and green than the first degree, whereas the third has a colourless to white hue. It should be acknowledged that turquoise colour classification is a subjective issue that varies according to barter, heritage, fashions, stockpile, and personal opinion. All rough turquoise classifications have three grades for type I turquoise.
• Host rock attached turquoise (type II). This category includes turquoise slabs, veins, and nuggets sold with host rock attached. If the seam is deep and has a uniform, vivid colour, it can easily compete with first-grade turquoise. Slashing this kind of turquoise produces a spiderweb pattern.
• Type III: This comes in light to pale blue, green, and white colours and in various sizes. The material is porous and requires treatment. Depending on porosity and colour, chalky turquoise undergoes a different process for stabilising and colour enhancement. Chalky turquoise is the third type. This is available in various sizes and colours, including light blue, white and green. The material is absorbent and must be treated. Chalky turquoise undergoes different stabilising and colour enhancement processes depending on permeability and colour.
• Turquoise chips are a type IV. After grouping and wrapping the rough turquoise in packs, some small pieces that were broken during retrieval or transport are left. These pieces, which vary in colour and quality, are marketed as chips and are frequently used for turquoise overlay. It is important to note that the Neyshabur mine doesn’t treat the stones and only sells them naturally. In turquoise inlay workshops and lapidary, all treatments are used.

Bidding

When a certain quantity of turquoise is amassed, the Neyshabur cooperative issues an invitation for selling and conducts an auction in the mine’s yard. Cartons of turquoise are drawn out, and a base cost based on the overall raw material’s quality is offered. Finally, the bidding begins, with the highest bidder receiving the bag. The cooperative’s auctions are limited, with three to four sessions each year. The main purchasers of Persian turquoise at these auctions are lapidaries, jewellery companies, and gemstone traders from Mashhad, Neyshabur, and Esfahan. Local lapidary workshops from Ma’adan village have access to a set share of rough Persian turquoise annually that can be purchased at a lower price without participating in auctions.

Cutting and Polishing the Turquoise

Although the craft of trimming and buffing Persian turquoise has been practised in Iran for centuries, the marquetry industry has expanded in the past few decades. In Ma’adan village and the city of Neyshabur, over 300 lapidary training centres have been established. The main centres for Persian turquoise cutting are Tehran, Mashhad, Neyshabur and Esfahan, which also have an influential export industry due to tourist activities and international flights.

Most foreign customers are from Kuwait, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. However, it is essential to note that Persian turquoise does not account for a significant portion of the global market. Because turquoise is a non-transparent gemstone, the snipping styles are limited. While faceting is an alternative, cabochon cutting has been the norm, even in contemporary jewellery designs.

Turquoise Chips

The mine also produces turquoise chips, widely used for inlay in Iran. The chips are placed in a mosaic sequence on the surface of dishes, plates, decorative objects, ornaments, and wall art in this handicraft, which arose in the city of Mashhad. Despite the productivity and tradition of the Neyshabur mine, this turquoise still needs to find a place in the international market. There have been reports that mine is forced to close. Furthermore, the generic term “Persian turquoise” has been hampered by inconsistent quality and retail price standards, leading some customers to doubt the product.

Even though most turquoise on the global market has been stabilised or handled, Iranian brokers insist on buying untreated turquoise. While the uncontrolled gemstone edition may be essential to some customers, its high price, limited supply, and chemical sensitivity put others off.

It’s Time to Get Your Turquoise!

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Turquoise Uncovered Podcast

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Author: Sohrab Jamarani

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