Travels in India (Tavernier) 96.5

96.5

Turquoise is only found in Persia, and is obtained in two mines. The one which is called “the old rock” is three days’ journey from Meshed towards the north-west and near to a large town called Nichabourg; the other, which is called ‘the new,’ is five days’ journey from it. Those of the new are of an inferior blue, tending to white, and are little esteemed, and one may purchase as many of them as he likes at small cost. But for many years the King of Persia has prohibited mining in the “old rock” for any one but himself, because having no gold workers in the country besides those who work in thread, who are ignorant of the art of enamelling on gold, and without knowledge of design and engraving, he uses for the decoration of swords, daggers, and other work, these turquoises of the old rock instead of enamel, which are cut and arranged in patterns like flowers and other figures which the (jewellers) make. This catches the eye and passes as a laborious work, but it is wanting in design.