THE TURQUOISE. 141
recently been found in Connecticut and in the Ural Mountains.
THE TURQUOISE.
There are two species of oriental turquoise, the old rock and the new rock; and there is also an occidental turquoise.
The terms old rock and new rock were
applied to the turquoise in Persia. " The mine of turquoise," says
Tavernier, "which furnishes the most beautiful stones, is three days'
journey from Meshed, turning to the north-west after passing the large
town of Nishabourg; it is the old rock. The other, which is five days'
journey, was discovered and worked more recently; it furnishes
turquoises of a whitish blue, and almost valueless; it is the new rock."
When
Tavernier travelled in the East the King of Persia had already for a
long time reserved for himself all the products of the old rock. He had
ornaments made of them, which he presented to princes and kings.
When
the embassy was sent by the King of Persia to Louis XIV., among the
many rich presents conveyed to the French monarch were a large quantity
of turquoises. But all those who saw them were unanimous in deciding
that they were noways remarkable, arvd by no means answered the
