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This is where it all began!
Although no longer a significant source of
turquoise, Sinai deserve special recognition
for its historical significance. It is
believed that turquoise was mined here
before Persia, perhaps around 6000 B.C.
Archeological excavations of ancient tombs
have uncovered turquoise jewelry buried with
its owner thousands of years before the
birth of Christ.
In ancient times, Sinai was
so associated with turquoise that it was
even referred to as the Country of
Turquoise. The mines were concentrated
in the southwest section of the peninsula.
Although the mines have long been depleted
of their treasures, making commercial mining
unprofitable, the native Bedouins. The
turquoise that comes from this region tends
to be more green than blue, making it less
prized than Persian turquoise, and is often
referred to as Egyptian Turquoise.
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