The use of gems for personal adornment in various cultures extends back several thousand years. Beginning in ancient times, the most important and famous deposits of turquoise have been located near the small town of Nishapur in the province of Khorassan in northeastern Persia (modern-day Iran). This town, whose name has been spelled in various ways in the literature (see below), lies along the western portion of the caravan trade routes that extended eastward across Central Asia (known as the “Silk Road”). This location of the mines aided in the widespread distribution of turquoise along these trade routes. According to Pogue (1915), the history of turquoise from this area of Persia can be traced back to at least the Tenth Century (and perhaps much earlier), and the mines were visited by many early travelers including the famous gem dealer Jean-Baptiste Tavernier who gave an account of them in 1676.The deposits in Iran are hosted in a Tertiary-age volcano-sedimentary sequence of rocks. Turquoise is a secondary or supergene hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate mineral. It typically results when flowing meteoric water leaches copper from sulfide minerals in altered magmatic ore deposits. If the resulting copper-laden solutions later encounter aluminum and phosphorus in sedimentary host rocks, turquoise can form as veins or nodules.
How to Use this Reading List
This reading list gives you an opportunity to learn more about the history of turquoise from Persia (Iran). Entries in the list are presented in chronological order to emphasize the development of ideas over time. The list is not comprehensive, but is a compilation of some interesting information that has often been forgotten or overlooked.Many of the articles in the reading list exist in the public domain and can be found online at digital libraries such as Hathitrust, Internet Archive, or other digital repositories. More recent publications can often be found in libraries. Abstracts of these more recent articles can usually be found on the website of the original journal or magazine, and the article itself is often available for purchase from the publisher.
Some Remarks on the Precious Stone called the Turquoise, C. Mortimer, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 44, pp. 429-432, (1746). In this note, the author describes turquoise and possibly other similar-colored minerals from Persia and elsewhere.
Etwas von der Eigentlichen Beschaffenheit des Orientalischen Turkis [Something about the Actual Nature of Oriental Turquoise], P.S. Pallas, Neue nordische Beyträge zur Physikalischen und Geographischen Erd- und Völkerbeschreibung, Naturgeschichte und Oekonomie, Vol. 5, pp. 261-265, (1793). An early account of “oriental turquoise” from Nishapur in Iran by the famed explorer Peter Simon Pallas.
Analysis of the Substance known by the Name of Turquoise, J.B. Bouillon-LaGrange, Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and the Arts, Vol. 16, (March), pp. 182-189, (1807). The author mentions the Persian occurrence of turquoise at several mines from Nichaburgh [Nishapur], and he summarizes prior observations about this mineral made by a number of writers. The results of a chemical analysis of the mineral are also provided. The article was published in Annales de Chimie, Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 180-195, (1806); the Philosophical Magazine, Vol. 26, pp. 220-229, (1807); and the Journal für Chemie, Physik und Mineralogie, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 88-97, (1807).
Essay on the Turquoise and the Calaite, G. Fischer, The Asiatic Journal, Vol. 9, No. 49, pp. 23-30, (1820). Information is presented on turquoise and a similar but softer mineral called calaite, both of which occur near Nichabour in Persia. Data on the physical and chemical properties of both materials are presented. A similar study by J.J. Berzelius appeared in the Annales des Mines, Vol. 7, pp. 223-224, (1822).
Turquoise of Persia, Author unknown, Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Vol. 8, No. 16, pp. 404-405, (1823). A brief mention is made of the occurrence near Nishapur.
“Narrative of a Journey into Khorasan in the Years 1821 and 1822”, J.B. Fraser, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green, London, pp. 407-420, (1825), and
“Travels and Adventures in the Persian Provinces on the Southern Banks of the Caspian Sea”, pp. 343-347, (1826). In these two books, the same author describes a visit made to the turquoise mines near Nishapore.
Examination of the Minerals Collected by E. Stirling, Esq. at the Turquoise Mines near Nishapur in Persia, J. Prinsep, Gleanings in Science, Vol. 2, No. 24, pp. 375-379, (1830). A description of minerals collected at the mines.
The Turquoise, Author unknown, Penny Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 521, pp. 188-190, (1840). Brief description of turquoise mining in Persia.
“Farsistan – Persische Scenen und Legenden aus dem Tagebuche eines Britischen Touristen [Farsistan – Persian Scenes and Legends from a Diary of a British Tourist]”, B.F. Guttenstein, Druck und Verlag von C. Macklot, Karlsruhe, 169 pp. (1841). This book contains a section on the turquoise mines on pages 68-76.
Über die Zusammensetzung des Orientalischen Türkises [On the Composition of Oriental Turquoise], R. Hermann, Journal für Praktische Chemie, Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 282-285, (1844). A chemical analysis is given of Persian turquoise.
Gisement et Exploitation des Mines de Turquoises du Khorassan [Deposit and Exploitation of the Turquoise Mines of Khorassan], A. Chodzko, Revue de l’Orient, Vol. 3, pp. 249-253, (1844). The author describes the turquoise mines near Khorassan.
“Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan and Beloochistan”, J.P. Ferrier, John Murray, London, 556 pp., (1856). The author gives a description of Nishapoor and the turquoise mines on pages 103-107.
From Meshed to Tehran, A. Vambery, Argosy Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 8, pp. 106-117, (1866). Report on a visit that includes the turquoise mines.
Mikroskopische Untersuchung des Turkis [Microscopy Investigation of Turquoise], H. Bucking, Zeitschrift für Kristallographie und Mineralogie, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 163-168, (1878). Study of the structure of turquoise seen with magnification.
Die Mineralogie als Hilfswissenschaft für Archaologie und Ethnographie [Mineralogy as an Auxiliary Science for Archaeology and Ethnography], H. Fischer, Archiv für Archaologie, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 177-214 and No. 4, pp. 345-358, (1878). This article discusses the Nishapur mines and the archaeological uses of turquoise.
Les Mines de Turquoises en Perse [The Turquoise Mines of Persia], E.G. de Drée, La Nature, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 376, pp. 169-170, (1880). A note on the turquoise mines.
Neue Angaben über die Mineralreichthümer Persiens und Notizen über die Gegend westlich von Zendjan [New Details on the Persian Mineral Kingdom and Notes about the Area west of Zendjan], A. Houtum-Schindler, Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 169-190, (1881). The author reviews the mineral products of Persia including turquoise.
Turquoise, Author unknown, Popular Science Monthly, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 712-713, (1881). This brief article discusses the turquoise mines located near Meschid, the capital of Khorassan.
Turquoise Mines and Pearl Fisheries of Persia, Author unknown, Journal of the Society of Arts, Vol. 32, No. 1664, p. 1085, (1884). This note mentions that the turquoise mines in Kerman and Khorassan had been in operation for 800 years.The
Turquoise Mines of Nishapur, Khorassan, A. Houtum-Schindler, Records of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. 17, Pt. 3, pp. 132-142, (1884). The author, who for a short period was the mining director in Nishapur, provides a detailed description of the turquoise mines as well as the local classification and production of this mineral.
Das Vorkommen der Türkise bei Nischapur in Persien [The Occurrences of Turquoise near Nishapur in Persia], E. Tietze, Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, No. 6, pp. 93-99, (1884). This article describes the geological setting of the turquoise mines.The Turquoise, Author unknown, Chambers’s Journal, Vol. 3, No. 116, pp. 181-183, (1886). General information on this mineral and information on the Nishapur mines.
Les Mines de Turquoises du Khorassan [The Turquoise Mines of Khorassan], A. Bitard, Journal des Voyages, Vol. 19, No. 478, p. 158, (1886). A note on the mines.
Die Gegend zwischen Sabzwâr und Meschhed in Persien [The Area between Sabzwar and Meschhed in Persia], A.H. Schindler, Jarbuch der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, Vol. 36, No. 2/3, pp. 303-314, (1886). The author describes a visit to the turquoise mining area in Nishapur.
Mines de Turquoises de Nichapour, Province de Khoraçan (Perse) [The Turquoise Mines of Nishapur, Khorassan Province, (Persia)], Author unknown, Annales des Mines, Ser. 6, Vol. 13, pp. 563-577, (1888). This article is a report on the turquoise mines from the French diplomatic consul in Tehran.Une
Excursion dans les Mines de la Turquoise de Maaden pres de Nischapour en Perse [An Excursion to the Turquoise Mines of Maaden near Nischapour in Persia], K. Bogdanowitsch, Journal des Mines de Russie, No. 12, pp. 330-355, (1888). Report on a visit to the mining area.
Mines de Turquoises de Nichapour, Province de Khoracan (Perse) [Turquoise mines of Nishapur in the Province of Khorassan (Persia)], A. Toque, Annales des Mines, Vol. 13, pp. 563-577, (1888). Description of the mines.
“Persia and the Persian Question”, G.N. Curzon, Longmans Green & Company, London, pp. 264-267, (1892). The author devotes a few pages of this book to the turquoise mines, which are located thirty-six miles northwest of Nishapur.
The Turquoise Mines of Persia, Author unknown, Journal of the Society of Arts, Vol. 45, No. 2297, pp. 37-38, (1896). A summary description of the turquoise mines is presented from the British Vice-Consul in Meshed who visited the area. A similar report appeared in both the Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal, Vol. 73, No. 674, pp. 763-764, (1896), and in the Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 62, No. 18, p. 412, (1896).The
Turquoise Mines of Persia, H.L. Geissel, Scientific American, Vol. 82, No. 16, p. 246, (1900). A brief report on the mines near Nishapur.
On the Chemical Composition of Turquoise, S.L. Penfield, American Journal of Science, Vol. 160, No. 59, pp. 346-350, (1900). Chemical composition data are presented for turquoise from various localities including Persia.
“The Struggle for Persia”, D. Stuart, Methuen & Company, London, 336 pp., (1902). This book contains a chapter that describes the turquoise mines near Meshed on pages 219-245.
The Turquoise Mines of Persia, E.C. Ringler-Thomson, Windsor Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 6, pp. 61-67, (1907). The writer describes a visit to the mines that he made in 1895.
The Turquoise, J.E. Pogue, Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 34-39, (1915). This memoir presents a description of the history, mineralogy, occurrences, origin, and archaeology of turquoise. It includes a discussion of the mines at Nishapur.
The Turquoise Occurrences in Persia, E. Gübelin, Lapidary Journal, Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 818, 822, 826-828, (1966). A report of a visit by the famous Swiss gemologist to the mines near Nishapur. A similar article appeared in Gems & Gemology, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 3-13, (1966).
Persian Turquoise, A. Ouskouian, Lapidary Journal, Vol. 26, No. 9, pp. 1339-1340, (1972). A short article on the material.
The Turquoise of Iran, H. Fayaz and A.H. Forghani, Rocks & Minerals, Vol. 59, No. 9, pp. 526-528, (1975). A short article on the Nishapur mine.
A New Study of Turquoise from Iran, A. Khorassani and M. Abedini, Mineralogical Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 314, pp. 640-641, (1976). This short article gives chemical analyses, infrared spectra and other data on turquoise from both Nishapur and Damghan.
A Visit with One of Iran’s Leading Turquoise Companies, W. Mason, Lapidary Journal, Vol. 31, No. 7, pp. 1626-1629, (1977). The author visits a lapidary company that specializes in Persian turquoise.
On the Turquoise Deposits of Nishabur (N.E. Iran), M. Manutchehr-Danai, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 15, No. 10, pp. 315-319, (1977). A description of the turquoise deposits.
The Allahabad Fe Deposit, an Example of Fe, Pb, and Turquoise Occurrences in the Zeber-Kuh-Sarhangi Mountains, SW Kashmar, NE Iran, M. Momenzadeh and A. Wauschkuhn, Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie Abhandlungen, Vol. 168, No. 2/3, pp. 490-496, (1984). A geologic description of a copper deposit that contains some turquoise.
To Study the Management Situation of Khorasan Exported Turquoise and Presentation of Suitable Ways, A. Latifian and S. Ashrafzadeh, Knowledge and Development, No. 11, pp. 75-86, (2000). A discussion of developing a more effective turquoise export trade from Iran.Geology and Genesis of Turquoise Mineral Indice Ali-Abad (Taft-Yazd), L. Rezaian, M. Noghreheian, M.A. Makizadeh and S. Sherafat, Research Journal of the University of Isfahan, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 145-158, (2003). The authors discuss the conditions of turquoise formation at this mine.
Metallic Mineral Resources Mined in Ancient Times – A Review, M. Momenzadeh, Persia’s Ancient Splendor, 21 pp., (2004). The author reviews the locations of ancient mining operations in ancient Persia.
The Ali-Abad Porphyry Copper Mineralization in Central Iran, A. Zarasvandi, S. Liaghat and E.J.M. Carranza, Journal of the Geological Society of Iran, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 73-84, (2006). Geological description of a copper mine that produces some turquoise.
40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of Alteration and Petrogenesis of Porphyry Copper-related Granitoids in the Darreh-Zerreshk and Ali-Abad Area, Central Iran, A. Zarasvandi, S. Liaghat, M. Zentilli and P.H. Reynolds, Economic Geology, Vol. 16, No. 1/2, pp. 11-24, (2007). Geological study of the formation conditions of two copper deposits that contain turquoise.
Geochemistry, Petrology and Genesis Study of Baghoo Turquoise Deposit (Damghan), S. Liaghat, V. Sheykhi and M. Najaran, Journal of Science - University of Tehran, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 133-142, (2008). A geological study of a turquoise deposit.
Neyshabour Turquoise Mine: The First Iron Oxide Cu-Au-U-LREE (IOGC) Mineralized System in Iran, M.H. Karimpour, A. Malekzadeh-Shafaroudi, A. Esphandiarpour and H. Mohammad-Nejad, Journal of Economic Geology, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 193-216, (2012). A description is given of the geological setting of the magmatic iron-copper ore deposits that host the turquoise occurrences.
“Sky Blue Stone: The Turquoise Trade in World History”, A. Khazeni, University of California Press, 217 pp., (2014). The book reviews the historical trade in turquoise, which began with the deposits around Nishapur in Persia.
The Persian Turquoise Mining at Neyshabur Mine in Historical Times, M. Ovissi, M. Yazhi and M. Ghorbani, Geography, Vol. 14, No. 51, pp. 87-99, (2017). The authors describe the history of the mines.
Why Nishapur? R.W. Bulliet, Eurasian Studies, Vol. 16, No. 1/2, pp. 100-123, (2018). The author discusses historical reasons for the religious and cultural development of the town of Nishapur given its inland location with no access to river transport, but lying along important trade routes.
A Review on Gemstone Potentials of Khorasan Razavi Province, Northeast of Iran: A Special Focus on Turquoise Gems. R. Ahmadirouhani, J. Taheri, M. Gholamzadeh, H. Azmi and M. Azadi, Iranian Journal of Geoscience Museum, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 57-71, (2019). A field survey of turquoise and other gem minerals and localities in northeastern Iran.
Mineralogy and Formation Conditions of Turquoise in Ali Abad Cu Porphyry Deposit, S.J. Ardekani, M.A. Mackizadeh and F. Ayati, Journal of Economic Geology, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 93-109, (2020). A geological field study of turquoise formation at this locality.
Persian Turquoise: The Ancient Treasure of Neyshabur. B. Shirdam, A.H. Shen, M.X. Yang, Z. Mokhtari and H. Fazliani, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 240-257, (2021). This article presents a recent summary of the history, location, geological setting, and current mining of turquoise at Neyshabur in the northeastern portion of Iran.
About the Author: Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.
Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.
The use of gems for personal adornment in various cultures extends back several thousand years. Beginning in ancient times, the most important and famous deposits of turquoise have been located near the small town of Nishapur in the province of Khorassan in northeastern Persia (modern-day Iran). This town, whose name has been spelled in various ways in the literature (see below), lies along the western portion of the caravan trade routes that extended eastward across Central Asia (known as the “Silk Road”). This location of the mines aided in the widespread distribution of turquoise along these trade routes. According to Pogue (1915), the history of turquoise from this area of Persia can be traced back to at least the Tenth Century (and perhaps much earlier), and the mines were visited by many early travelers including the famous gem dealer Jean-Baptiste Tavernier who gave an account of them in 1676.The deposits in Iran are hosted in a Tertiary-age volcano-sedimentary sequence of rocks. Turquoise is a secondary or supergene hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate mineral. It typically results when flowing meteoric water leaches copper from sulfide minerals in altered magmatic ore deposits. If the resulting copper-laden solutions later encounter aluminum and phosphorus in sedimentary host rocks, turquoise can form as veins or nodules.
How to Use this Reading List
This reading list gives you an opportunity to learn more about the history of turquoise from Persia (Iran). Entries in the list are presented in chronological order to emphasize the development of ideas over time. The list is not comprehensive, but is a compilation of some interesting information that has often been forgotten or overlooked.Many of the articles in the reading list exist in the public domain and can be found online at digital libraries such as Hathitrust, Internet Archive, or other digital repositories. More recent publications can often be found in libraries. Abstracts of these more recent articles can usually be found on the website of the original journal or magazine, and the article itself is often available for purchase from the publisher.
Some Remarks on the Precious Stone called the Turquoise, C. Mortimer, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 44, pp. 429-432, (1746). In this note, the author describes turquoise and possibly other similar-colored minerals from Persia and elsewhere.
Etwas von der Eigentlichen Beschaffenheit des Orientalischen Turkis [Something about the Actual Nature of Oriental Turquoise], P.S. Pallas, Neue nordische Beyträge zur Physikalischen und Geographischen Erd- und Völkerbeschreibung, Naturgeschichte und Oekonomie, Vol. 5, pp. 261-265, (1793). An early account of “oriental turquoise” from Nishapur in Iran by the famed explorer Peter Simon Pallas.
Analysis of the Substance known by the Name of Turquoise, J.B. Bouillon-LaGrange, Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and the Arts, Vol. 16, (March), pp. 182-189, (1807). The author mentions the Persian occurrence of turquoise at several mines from Nichaburgh [Nishapur], and he summarizes prior observations about this mineral made by a number of writers. The results of a chemical analysis of the mineral are also provided. The article was published in Annales de Chimie, Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 180-195, (1806); the Philosophical Magazine, Vol. 26, pp. 220-229, (1807); and the Journal für Chemie, Physik und Mineralogie, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 88-97, (1807).
Essay on the Turquoise and the Calaite, G. Fischer, The Asiatic Journal, Vol. 9, No. 49, pp. 23-30, (1820). Information is presented on turquoise and a similar but softer mineral called calaite, both of which occur near Nichabour in Persia. Data on the physical and chemical properties of both materials are presented. A similar study by J.J. Berzelius appeared in the Annales des Mines, Vol. 7, pp. 223-224, (1822).
Turquoise of Persia, Author unknown, Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Vol. 8, No. 16, pp. 404-405, (1823). A brief mention is made of the occurrence near Nishapur.
“Narrative of a Journey into Khorasan in the Years 1821 and 1822”, J.B. Fraser, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green, London, pp. 407-420, (1825), and
“Travels and Adventures in the Persian Provinces on the Southern Banks of the Caspian Sea”, pp. 343-347, (1826). In these two books, the same author describes a visit made to the turquoise mines near Nishapore.
Examination of the Minerals Collected by E. Stirling, Esq. at the Turquoise Mines near Nishapur in Persia, J. Prinsep, Gleanings in Science, Vol. 2, No. 24, pp. 375-379, (1830). A description of minerals collected at the mines.
The Turquoise, Author unknown, Penny Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 521, pp. 188-190, (1840). Brief description of turquoise mining in Persia.
“Farsistan – Persische Scenen und Legenden aus dem Tagebuche eines Britischen Touristen [Farsistan – Persian Scenes and Legends from a Diary of a British Tourist]”, B.F. Guttenstein, Druck und Verlag von C. Macklot, Karlsruhe, 169 pp. (1841). This book contains a section on the turquoise mines on pages 68-76.
Über die Zusammensetzung des Orientalischen Türkises [On the Composition of Oriental Turquoise], R. Hermann, Journal für Praktische Chemie, Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 282-285, (1844). A chemical analysis is given of Persian turquoise.
Gisement et Exploitation des Mines de Turquoises du Khorassan [Deposit and Exploitation of the Turquoise Mines of Khorassan], A. Chodzko, Revue de l’Orient, Vol. 3, pp. 249-253, (1844). The author describes the turquoise mines near Khorassan.
“Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan and Beloochistan”, J.P. Ferrier, John Murray, London, 556 pp., (1856). The author gives a description of Nishapoor and the turquoise mines on pages 103-107.
From Meshed to Tehran, A. Vambery, Argosy Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 8, pp. 106-117, (1866). Report on a visit that includes the turquoise mines.
Mikroskopische Untersuchung des Turkis [Microscopy Investigation of Turquoise], H. Bucking, Zeitschrift für Kristallographie und Mineralogie, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 163-168, (1878). Study of the structure of turquoise seen with magnification.
Die Mineralogie als Hilfswissenschaft für Archaologie und Ethnographie [Mineralogy as an Auxiliary Science for Archaeology and Ethnography], H. Fischer, Archiv für Archaologie, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 177-214 and No. 4, pp. 345-358, (1878). This article discusses the Nishapur mines and the archaeological uses of turquoise.
Les Mines de Turquoises en Perse [The Turquoise Mines of Persia], E.G. de Drée, La Nature, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 376, pp. 169-170, (1880). A note on the turquoise mines.
Neue Angaben über die Mineralreichthümer Persiens und Notizen über die Gegend westlich von Zendjan [New Details on the Persian Mineral Kingdom and Notes about the Area west of Zendjan], A. Houtum-Schindler, Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 169-190, (1881). The author reviews the mineral products of Persia including turquoise.
Turquoise, Author unknown, Popular Science Monthly, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 712-713, (1881). This brief article discusses the turquoise mines located near Meschid, the capital of Khorassan.
Turquoise Mines and Pearl Fisheries of Persia, Author unknown, Journal of the Society of Arts, Vol. 32, No. 1664, p. 1085, (1884). This note mentions that the turquoise mines in Kerman and Khorassan had been in operation for 800 years.The
Turquoise Mines of Nishapur, Khorassan, A. Houtum-Schindler, Records of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. 17, Pt. 3, pp. 132-142, (1884). The author, who for a short period was the mining director in Nishapur, provides a detailed description of the turquoise mines as well as the local classification and production of this mineral.
Das Vorkommen der Türkise bei Nischapur in Persien [The Occurrences of Turquoise near Nishapur in Persia], E. Tietze, Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, No. 6, pp. 93-99, (1884). This article describes the geological setting of the turquoise mines.The Turquoise, Author unknown, Chambers’s Journal, Vol. 3, No. 116, pp. 181-183, (1886). General information on this mineral and information on the Nishapur mines.
Les Mines de Turquoises du Khorassan [The Turquoise Mines of Khorassan], A. Bitard, Journal des Voyages, Vol. 19, No. 478, p. 158, (1886). A note on the mines.
Die Gegend zwischen Sabzwâr und Meschhed in Persien [The Area between Sabzwar and Meschhed in Persia], A.H. Schindler, Jarbuch der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, Vol. 36, No. 2/3, pp. 303-314, (1886). The author describes a visit to the turquoise mining area in Nishapur.
Mines de Turquoises de Nichapour, Province de Khoraçan (Perse) [The Turquoise Mines of Nishapur, Khorassan Province, (Persia)], Author unknown, Annales des Mines, Ser. 6, Vol. 13, pp. 563-577, (1888). This article is a report on the turquoise mines from the French diplomatic consul in Tehran.Une
Excursion dans les Mines de la Turquoise de Maaden pres de Nischapour en Perse [An Excursion to the Turquoise Mines of Maaden near Nischapour in Persia], K. Bogdanowitsch, Journal des Mines de Russie, No. 12, pp. 330-355, (1888). Report on a visit to the mining area.
Mines de Turquoises de Nichapour, Province de Khoracan (Perse) [Turquoise mines of Nishapur in the Province of Khorassan (Persia)], A. Toque, Annales des Mines, Vol. 13, pp. 563-577, (1888). Description of the mines.
“Persia and the Persian Question”, G.N. Curzon, Longmans Green & Company, London, pp. 264-267, (1892). The author devotes a few pages of this book to the turquoise mines, which are located thirty-six miles northwest of Nishapur.
The Turquoise Mines of Persia, Author unknown, Journal of the Society of Arts, Vol. 45, No. 2297, pp. 37-38, (1896). A summary description of the turquoise mines is presented from the British Vice-Consul in Meshed who visited the area. A similar report appeared in both the Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal, Vol. 73, No. 674, pp. 763-764, (1896), and in the Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 62, No. 18, p. 412, (1896).The
Turquoise Mines of Persia, H.L. Geissel, Scientific American, Vol. 82, No. 16, p. 246, (1900). A brief report on the mines near Nishapur.
On the Chemical Composition of Turquoise, S.L. Penfield, American Journal of Science, Vol. 160, No. 59, pp. 346-350, (1900). Chemical composition data are presented for turquoise from various localities including Persia.
“The Struggle for Persia”, D. Stuart, Methuen & Company, London, 336 pp., (1902). This book contains a chapter that describes the turquoise mines near Meshed on pages 219-245.
The Turquoise Mines of Persia, E.C. Ringler-Thomson, Windsor Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 6, pp. 61-67, (1907). The writer describes a visit to the mines that he made in 1895.
The Turquoise, J.E. Pogue, Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 34-39, (1915). This memoir presents a description of the history, mineralogy, occurrences, origin, and archaeology of turquoise. It includes a discussion of the mines at Nishapur.
The Turquoise Occurrences in Persia, E. Gübelin, Lapidary Journal, Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 818, 822, 826-828, (1966). A report of a visit by the famous Swiss gemologist to the mines near Nishapur. A similar article appeared in Gems & Gemology, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 3-13, (1966).
Persian Turquoise, A. Ouskouian, Lapidary Journal, Vol. 26, No. 9, pp. 1339-1340, (1972). A short article on the material.
The Turquoise of Iran, H. Fayaz and A.H. Forghani, Rocks & Minerals, Vol. 59, No. 9, pp. 526-528, (1975). A short article on the Nishapur mine.
A New Study of Turquoise from Iran, A. Khorassani and M. Abedini, Mineralogical Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 314, pp. 640-641, (1976). This short article gives chemical analyses, infrared spectra and other data on turquoise from both Nishapur and Damghan.
A Visit with One of Iran’s Leading Turquoise Companies, W. Mason, Lapidary Journal, Vol. 31, No. 7, pp. 1626-1629, (1977). The author visits a lapidary company that specializes in Persian turquoise.
On the Turquoise Deposits of Nishabur (N.E. Iran), M. Manutchehr-Danai, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 15, No. 10, pp. 315-319, (1977). A description of the turquoise deposits.
The Allahabad Fe Deposit, an Example of Fe, Pb, and Turquoise Occurrences in the Zeber-Kuh-Sarhangi Mountains, SW Kashmar, NE Iran, M. Momenzadeh and A. Wauschkuhn, Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie Abhandlungen, Vol. 168, No. 2/3, pp. 490-496, (1984). A geologic description of a copper deposit that contains some turquoise.
To Study the Management Situation of Khorasan Exported Turquoise and Presentation of Suitable Ways, A. Latifian and S. Ashrafzadeh, Knowledge and Development, No. 11, pp. 75-86, (2000). A discussion of developing a more effective turquoise export trade from Iran.Geology and Genesis of Turquoise Mineral Indice Ali-Abad (Taft-Yazd), L. Rezaian, M. Noghreheian, M.A. Makizadeh and S. Sherafat, Research Journal of the University of Isfahan, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 145-158, (2003). The authors discuss the conditions of turquoise formation at this mine.
Metallic Mineral Resources Mined in Ancient Times – A Review, M. Momenzadeh, Persia’s Ancient Splendor, 21 pp., (2004). The author reviews the locations of ancient mining operations in ancient Persia.
The Ali-Abad Porphyry Copper Mineralization in Central Iran, A. Zarasvandi, S. Liaghat and E.J.M. Carranza, Journal of the Geological Society of Iran, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 73-84, (2006). Geological description of a copper mine that produces some turquoise.
40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of Alteration and Petrogenesis of Porphyry Copper-related Granitoids in the Darreh-Zerreshk and Ali-Abad Area, Central Iran, A. Zarasvandi, S. Liaghat, M. Zentilli and P.H. Reynolds, Economic Geology, Vol. 16, No. 1/2, pp. 11-24, (2007). Geological study of the formation conditions of two copper deposits that contain turquoise.
Geochemistry, Petrology and Genesis Study of Baghoo Turquoise Deposit (Damghan), S. Liaghat, V. Sheykhi and M. Najaran, Journal of Science - University of Tehran, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 133-142, (2008). A geological study of a turquoise deposit.
Neyshabour Turquoise Mine: The First Iron Oxide Cu-Au-U-LREE (IOGC) Mineralized System in Iran, M.H. Karimpour, A. Malekzadeh-Shafaroudi, A. Esphandiarpour and H. Mohammad-Nejad, Journal of Economic Geology, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 193-216, (2012). A description is given of the geological setting of the magmatic iron-copper ore deposits that host the turquoise occurrences.
“Sky Blue Stone: The Turquoise Trade in World History”, A. Khazeni, University of California Press, 217 pp., (2014). The book reviews the historical trade in turquoise, which began with the deposits around Nishapur in Persia.
The Persian Turquoise Mining at Neyshabur Mine in Historical Times, M. Ovissi, M. Yazhi and M. Ghorbani, Geography, Vol. 14, No. 51, pp. 87-99, (2017). The authors describe the history of the mines.
Why Nishapur? R.W. Bulliet, Eurasian Studies, Vol. 16, No. 1/2, pp. 100-123, (2018). The author discusses historical reasons for the religious and cultural development of the town of Nishapur given its inland location with no access to river transport, but lying along important trade routes.
A Review on Gemstone Potentials of Khorasan Razavi Province, Northeast of Iran: A Special Focus on Turquoise Gems. R. Ahmadirouhani, J. Taheri, M. Gholamzadeh, H. Azmi and M. Azadi, Iranian Journal of Geoscience Museum, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 57-71, (2019). A field survey of turquoise and other gem minerals and localities in northeastern Iran.
Mineralogy and Formation Conditions of Turquoise in Ali Abad Cu Porphyry Deposit, S.J. Ardekani, M.A. Mackizadeh and F. Ayati, Journal of Economic Geology, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 93-109, (2020). A geological field study of turquoise formation at this locality.
Persian Turquoise: The Ancient Treasure of Neyshabur. B. Shirdam, A.H. Shen, M.X. Yang, Z. Mokhtari and H. Fazliani, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 240-257, (2021). This article presents a recent summary of the history, location, geological setting, and current mining of turquoise at Neyshabur in the northeastern portion of Iran.
About the Author: Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.
Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.
