Quantcast
  We apologize for any slow response. This will be fixed before October 31st Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/streeter-precious-stones/page_250 - 2
 

Sec. III, Ch. 11: Turquoise

Sec. III, Ch. 11: Turquoise Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 11: Turquoise Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
226
The Turquoise.
rocks are broken through by porphyries and greenstones, and are consequently much metamorphosed. The Tur­quoise-bearing ridge, which rises to a height of 6,655 feet consists of these eruptive and metamorphosed rocks. The Turquoises form veins in the strata.
The inhabitants of the Madèn-village are entirely occupied with the mining, cutting and selling of Turquoises. The gain has made the people careless of anything else, yet there are very few of the inhabitants who possess much. A good Turquoise is found, and the money obtained by its sale is spent at once ; one can often see at the mine, men who yearly pay 60 tomans* to the Government, and who gain quite 150 tomans besides, having nothing to eat. The Turquoise mines are of two kinds: («), the mines proper, with shafts and galleries in the rocks ; and (b), the Khâkî mines or diggings in the detritus of disintegrated rocks washed down towards the plain.
(a). The mines proper. The most easterly, and ac­cording to all accounts the oldest mine is the A bdurre7.zâgî which was formerly called the Abu Ishâgî, and is with that name mentioned in old books. Its mouth is at the absolute height of 5,900 feet; it is a very extensive mine, and has a depth of 160 feet vertical from its mouth. For the last few years, very few Turquoises have been obtained from this mine, but its Turquoises are esteemed more than those of other mines. Close to this mine, and in the same valley, are the Surkh, Shâperdâr and Agkâlî mines, which are at present neglected.
A little to the west of the Abdurrezzâgi valley, is the "Derreh-i-Safid" the White Valley, with the old mines Mâlekî, the upper and lower Zâkî, and the Mîrzâ Ahmedî. The former three are immense mines, but almost entirely filled up with débris.
* The value of the toman was, in 1884, 6s. 8rf.
Sec. III, Ch. 11: Turquoise Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 11: Turquoise
Table Of Contents bullet Annotate/ Highlight
Streeter: Precious Stones and Gems
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page