SAEDNEWS: There are many gemstone mines in Mashhad, the center of Razavi Khorasan province and its surrounding cities. That is why one of the prospering handicrafts of this province is jewelry made of gemstones also known as “Mekhraj Kari”.
Some of the most important gemstones in Iran include aquamarine, agates, quartz varieties, jasper, turquoise, garnet, and zeolite, with turquoise and agate being the most popular. Experts note that no two pieces of turquoise are alike — much like fingerprints, each stone is unique and unmatched.
An interesting historical fact about turquoise is that, until a few decades ago, it was used as seals. Persian poet Hafiz even referenced this in his poetry:
"If, with the color of red cornelian, my tear be, what wonder / for like red cornelian, is the seal of the seal-ring of my eye."
Today, Mashhad is home to Iran’s most prominent gemstone-cutting workshops, where tons of agate and turquoise are processed annually. These workshops combine traditional and modern techniques, preserving both heritage and innovation.
Crafting jewelry from gemstones involves designing, manufacturing, and finishing, all of which require skill and experience. One of the most critical stages is attaching the stone to its metal base, known as “Mekhraj Kari” or incrustation.
Mekhraj Kari is the most delicate and important part of gemstone jewelry making. Stones are fixed using various techniques depending on their size:
For small gems: Reili, Ghalamzani, Kaseh’e, Changi
For large gems: Nabshi, Changi, Divareh’e
No glue is used in this process to preserve the stone’s natural streaks and beauty. The base is carefully designed to hold the gem securely — even slight pressure can scratch, crack, or break the stone.
Mekhraj is applied to earrings, necklaces, rings, brooches, and more, combining craftsmanship with aesthetics.
In 2018, Mashhad was officially registered as the global city of precious and semi-precious stones by the World Council of Handicrafts, cementing its status as a center of tradition, skill, and gemstone artistry.
