The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1896-12-29
NlSHAPUR TURQUOISE MINES
Lazy Methods by Which tho stoncs Arc
Got Out-Jewels That Fade.

Got Out-Jewels Tha& Fade,
The famous turquoise mines of
Nishapur, in northern Persia, are
believed to DO the only turquoise
mines in the world which have been
worked extensively or which have
produced the turquoise of perfect
shape and color. On approaching the
mines from Nishapur, after entering
the low hills and gradually ascend
ing, one arrives first at the villages
inhabited by the miners, which are
on undulating ground about 5000
feet above sea level. After another
gradual ascent for about a mile by a
very good road the foot of a hill
about 200. feet in height is reach.
ed. All the mines are on the south
face of this hill, and from the first
to the last the distance as the crow
flies is not more than half a mile.
The Relish mine, which is the only
one worked on large scale or with
vigor, produces the greater part of
the turquoisos at present sent to
market. 1t is near the top of one OF
the highest ridges, at an altitude OF
about 6, 900 feet above sea level. The
entrance is followed out cave,
about - yards across, with vertical
shaft some 5 yards in diameter. Two
men were reclining at the mouth of
this shaft with their backs against
the wall of the cave, and turning
with their bare feet riokety wood
en- wheel, which brought up the de-
bris from below in a small sheepskin
bag holding no more than peck
perhaps. This was received by a
third man, who unlocked, emptied
and reattached it. The other two
men removed their feet, and the bag
went down with run some 40 feet,
where three other men were SINH
larly engaged on ledge in the shaft
The mine itself is so or 80 feet from
the surface The miners first de-
scend by means of narrow diago-
nal tunnel, and then scramble down
the rough sides of the shaft.
At the mouth of the cave, which
is on the precipitous hillside, half
dozen men were seated close togeth-
err on a ledge, breaking with small
hammers the fragments of rock as
they were brought up from below.
When turquoise was discovered, it
was placed on one side in its rough
state, incased in rock, and sent to
Meshed. Unfortunately, though the
mine is very productive and the
turquoises of good shape, their color
soon goes. Since the Abdur Rezai
mine fell in it may be said that the
stones of perfect shape and color are
very rarely found. But, though real
ly good turquoises are rare, there is
abundance of imperfect and bad
stones, which are eagerly bought,
for all the orientals prize them, and
the very poorest like to possess even
a green and spotted one set in tin
ring. 1t is more than likely, howev-
or, that the hill contains an abun-
dance of good stones. Some of those
now found look excellent at first,
but the color in most cases soon
fades, or a green tinge is developed,
or spots appear on them. Some of
these white spots can only be detect
ed at first with a glass and then as
mere speck, but in time they may
expand and spread right across the
stone. The color of most faded tur-
Quoises can be temporarily revived
by dampness. In Meshed no one
would dream of buying turquoise
Of good color without possessing it
first for some days, for it is the most
treacherous of precious stones. The
turquoises, as soon as they are cut
in Meshed, are nearly all sold at once
for export, and their price in the
town rises at least 1000 per cent.
Some years ago one could obtain in
Mesbed good turquoises of perfect
shape, fine color, fair size and with
out flaw for few shillings each.
Turquoises are at present far cheap
er at Tiflis AID Constantinople than
at Meshed, and at those towns one
might perhaps find some of good
color which have been in stock for
ars.-London Times.