Authentic Semi-precious and Precious Gemstones of Turkey: Special Emphasis on the Ones Preferred for Prayer Beads

Abstract

There are 6 semi-precious gemstones in Turkey that are the most significant in terms of abundance and authenticity. These include smoky quartz, blue chalcedony, chrysoprase (aka Şenkaya emerald), diaspore (aka sultanite/zultanite), sepiolite (aka meerschaum/Eskişehirstone), and jet (aka Oltustone). The smoky quartz occurs in the south of Büyük Menderes Basin within metamorphic rocks of the massif. Chalcedony occurrences are in Çanakkale and Sarıcakaya (Eskişehir). Chrysoprase is acquired in Bursa, Alaşehir (Manisa) as yellowish green in color, Biga (Çanakkale), Sivrihisar (Eskişehir) and Şenkaya (Erzurum) as dark green in color. Diaspore occurs in Milas (Muğla), Söke (Aydın), Tire (İzmir), Bolkardağı Gerdekkilise area and Saimbeyli (Adana). Sepiolite occurrences are limited to Kıbrısçık-Köroğlu (Bolu), Eskişehir and Konya. Jet (aka Oltustone) occurs in Oltu area (Erzurum). These are the major varieties that has been used to produce both jewelry and ornamental objects among which the prayer beads are one of the most indispensable object of oriental cultures in particular. These are also considered to be the authentic gems of Turkey and exported as raw and processed in into many forms. As for the prayer beads, lightness, color, durability, hardness, and cost are the main criteria. Thus, the Oltustone has been the major source for decades. However, the Eskişehir stone and blue chalcedony are becoming popular as well.