Evening star., 1896-10-24
NIsHApuR TURQUOISE MINES.
Lazy Methods by Which the Stone
Are Gotten Out.

Are GOtten Out.
From the London Times.
The famous turquoise mines Of Nishapur.
III northern Persia, are believed to be 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
fTc--i Nishapur, after entering the low hills
and gradually ascending, 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 mile by very good road
tie foot of hill about 900 feet in height
Is reached. 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 a large
scale or with vigor, produces the greater
part of the turquoises at present sent to
market 1t Is near the top Of one of the
highest ridges, at an altitude of about G,00O
feet above the sea level. The entrance is a
hollowed-out cave, about twelve yards
across, with vertical shaft some five
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 rickety wooden
wheel, which brought up the debris from
below in a small sheepskin bag holding no
more than a peck perhaps. This was re-
ceived by third man, who unlocked. emp
tied and reattached 1t. The other two men
removed their feet, and the bag went down
with run some forty feet, where three
other men were similarly engaged on a
ledge In the shaft. The mine itself is 80
feet or 80 feet from the surface. The mi
ners first descend by means of a narrow
diagonal 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 together on a ledge.
a EirNcy UNTIL
ments of rock as they were brought u
from below When a turquoise was dis
covered 1t was placed on one side in Its
rough state, incased in rock and sent to
Mesnea. Unfortunately. though the mine is
very productive. and the turquoises OF good
shape. their color soon goes. Since the
Abdur Rezai mine fell in 1t may be said
that the stones of perfect shape and color
good turquoises are rare. there is abun-
dance of imperfect and bad stones which
are eagerly bought, for all orientais prize
them. and the very poorest like to possess
even a green and spotted one set in tin
ring. 1t is more than likely. however, that
the hill contains an abundance of good
stones. Some OF those now found look ex-
cellent at first, but the color in most cases
soon fades. or green tinge is developed, or
spots appear on them. Some of these white
spots can only be detected 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
turquoises can be temporarily revived by
dampnes5. In Meshed no one would dream
Of buying turquoise of good color without
possessing it first for some days, for 1t is
the most treacherous Of all precious stones
The turquoise, as soon as they are cut in
Meshed are nearly all sold at once for ex-
port. and their price In the town rises at
least 1000 per cent. Some years ago one
could obtain in Meshed good turquoises of
perfect shape. fine color. fair size and with
out a flaw for a few shillings each. Tur-
quoises are at present far cheaper at Tifis
and Constantinople than at Meshed. and at
those towns one might perhaps find some
of good color which have been in stock for
wears