Deep in the mountains of northeastern Iran, the Neyshabur turquoise mine has supplied prized blue-green gemstones for centuries. This photo essay offers a closer look at the stones, the people who extract them and the underground passages where the work takes place.
Contents
Why Neyshabur turquoise matters
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral made of hydrated copper and aluminium phosphate. Neyshabur, also spelled Nishapur, is one of Iran’s best-known sources of the gem. The Gemological Institute of America’s 2021 field report, based on a visit in 2020, documents the deposit’s geology, mining history and production methods.
The mine lies in Razavi Khorasan Province, about 53 km from the city of Neyshabur, according to the GIA study. Its turquoise occurs in mineralized veins within altered volcanic rocks. Colour and natural matrix vary from stone to stone, giving each piece a distinctive appearance.
Inside the turquoise mine: a photo essay
The people and the process
Mining turquoise involves locating narrow mineral-bearing veins, excavating rock and sorting the recovered material. The GIA report describes underground tunnels and carefully controlled drilling and blasting during its 2020 field visit. These photographs document scenes associated with that work; they should not be taken as a live account of current mine access or operating conditions.
Discover more of Neyshabur
Neyshabur is also known for its history, poetry and mountain scenery. See our guide to spring in Neyshabur for another perspective on the region.
