I still remember the first time I held a piece of raw Persian turquoise from the Neyshabur mines. The colour — that impossible robin’s egg blue — seemed to hold the entire Persian sky within it. In that moment, I understood why my ancestors had been mining these stones for millennia, why emperors coveted them, and why they travelled thousands of miles along the Silk Road to adorn the courts of distant lands.
Persian turquoise isn’t just a gemstone. It’s a cultural inheritance, a piece of living history, and the foundation of everything I create at Silux London.
Years of unbroken mining tradition at the Neyshabur turquoise mines in northeastern Iran
The Ancient Mines of Neyshabur
Nestled in the Khorasan province of northeastern Iran, the Neyshabur turquoise mines are among the oldest continuously operated gemstone mines in the world. Archaeological evidence suggests these mines have been worked since at least 3,000 BCE.
The Persian word for turquoise is فیروزه (firouzeh), which translates to “victorious stone.” Ancient Persians believed turquoise held protective powers, bringing good fortune and victory to those who wore it. Persian kings adorned their crowns with turquoise. Warriors carried turquoise talismans into battle. And Persian poets wrote of turquoise as a piece of heaven fallen to earth.
What Makes Neyshabur Turquoise Special?
The Colour
Pure, intense robin’s egg blue — neither too green nor too pale. From the perfect balance of copper and aluminium in the stone’s composition.
The Matrix
The finest specimens are completely matrix-free. While matrix can be beautiful, matrix-free Persian turquoise is exceptionally rare and valuable.
The Stability
Harder and more stable than turquoise from many other sources. It doesn’t fade or change colour as readily, making it ideal for heirloom jewellery.
The Provenance
5,000 years of cultural weight that newer mines cannot replicate. There’s simply no substitute for the real thing.
The Silk Road Journey
While Persian turquoise was treasured at home, it also became one of the most sought-after commodities along the ancient Silk Road:
To China
Chinese emperors prized Persian turquoise above nearly all other gemstones. Incorporated into imperial jewellery and ground into pigment for paintings.
To India
Adorned Mughal emperors and maharajas. Many of the greatest Mughal treasures feature Persian turquoise prominently.
To Tibet
Embraced with deep spiritual significance. Tibetan traders travelled the Silk Road specifically to obtain Neyshabur turquoise for religious artefacts.
Throughout the Middle East
From Ottoman sultans to Arabian merchants, Persian turquoise was the standard by which all other turquoise was measured.
How Persian Turquoise is Mined Today
Many Neyshabur mines still use hand tools and minimal mechanisation. Miners work in difficult conditions, following veins of turquoise through the mountainside. Once extracted, stones are carefully graded:
Prestige Tier
Perfect robin’s egg blue, completely matrix-free, museum-quality specimens. Exceptionally rare.
Signature Tier
Sky blue with minimal matrix. Exceptional quality suitable for fine jewellery.
Gateway Tier
Lighter blue with visible matrix. Genuine Persian turquoise with proper provenance.
My Personal Sourcing Journey
I don’t purchase Persian turquoise from wholesale suppliers or online marketplaces. I travel to Iran to source directly from miners and trusted artisans who have worked with these stones for generations.
Every Persian turquoise in a Silux London piece has been personally chosen by me. From Iran, these ancient stones travel to Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, where 250-year-old British goldsmithing traditions meet 5,000-year-old Persian materials.
Persian Turquoise in the Firouzeh Collection
The Firouzeh Collection is Silux London’s signature line, where Persian turquoise is always the hero. Every design follows one principle: the stone is the star, and the setting exists only to honour and protect it.
Classic Persian Bezels
Simple bezel settings that showcase the stone’s natural beauty without competition, honouring ancient tradition.
Architectural Settings
Incorporating muqarnas, dome structures, or geometric patterns that frame turquoise like a jewel in a Persian palace.
Paradise Garden Compositions
Multiple turquoise stones arranged in Chahar Bāgh (four-part garden) layouts, referencing Persian paradise garden geometry.
Modern Interpretations
Contemporary pieces honouring heritage while speaking to today’s aesthetic with hexagonal frames or asymmetric compositions.
Caring for Your Persian Turquoise
Persian turquoise is relatively durable (5.5–6 on the Mohs scale), but requires care to maintain its beauty for generations:
Avoid Chemicals: Remove turquoise jewellery before cleaning products, cosmetics, or chlorinated pools.
Avoid Extreme Heat: Don’t leave in direct sunlight for extended periods or expose to high heat.
Gentle Cleaning: Clean with a soft, barely damp cloth. Never use ultrasonic cleaners.
Store Carefully: Store separately from harder gemstones in a soft pouch or lined box.
Wear It: Paradoxically, turquoise often looks better when worn regularly. Natural oils can enhance its colour over time.
The Cultural Significance
When you wear Persian turquoise, you’re not just wearing a pretty blue stone. You’re wearing:
5,000 years of cultural heritage — the same material that adorned Persian emperors and inspired poets across civilisations.
A piece of Persian identity — for the diaspora, a tangible connection to ancestral homeland and traditions.
A story worth sharing — each stone has travelled from ancient mines through my hands to yours.
Investment quality — genuine Neyshabur turquoise is becoming increasingly rare and valuable.
Ethical sourcing — direct relationships with miners means fair compensation and support for traditional communities.
From Neyshabur to Your Hands
This is what I mean when I say Silux London creates wearable museums. Each piece is a bridge between ancient Persia and contemporary London, between my heritage and your hands, between the legendary Silk Road and your own personal journey.
Hamed Arab Choobdar
Founder & Designer, Silux London — Persian Heritage, Silk Road Journey
