Firuzeh Kubi (Turquoise Inlaying)

If you are familiar with handicrafts, you surely know that Firuzeh Kubi (Turquoise Inlaying) is a neo-traditional art form.

You might also know that for the past two thousand years, our country has been one of the main sources of turquoise stone. It is highly likely that the abundance of this stone in Iran led to its widespread use in our traditional architecture, especially for constructing domes.

In this article, however, we want to talk about the subtleties and complexities of creating turquoise-inlaid goods. If you wish to learn about this, stay with us until the end.

The Art of Turquoise Inlaying

We mentioned that the use of this beautiful stone in Iranian architecture has a long history, but this history is not limited to its use in constructing buildings, as Iranians have always used it to adorn vessels and jewelry as well.

Although using this stone for decorating vessels and jewelry has a rich background, using its crushed fragments is a new technique—a technique that distinguishes this art form from older methods of using the stone.

Now let’s see when this new technique was born.

It is logical that this art originated in Mashhad, due to the presence of the turquoise mine in the city of Neyshabur.

Most of us, when we go to Mashhad, definitely visit the Reza Bazaar. One of the souvenirs we might buy from this market is gold or silver jewelry adorned with ornamental stones. Among the most popular decorative stones for this jewelry are agate and turquoise.

It was Mohammad-Reza Hakimian who, eighty years ago, capitalized on the popularity of this stone for making jewelry among Iranians and invented the aforementioned new technique.

However, Hakimian’s creativity did not remain in Mashhad, and this art found its way to other cities in the country.

Nearly twenty years after him, Haj Dadash introduced this art to Isfahan.

As the name of this artistic technique suggests, to create these works, crushed turquoise stone is inlaid in a mosaic pattern onto a metal surface. This metal can be copper, silver, or brass.

However, turquoise inlaying on copper has gradually become a more popular and common method for creating these artworks than using the other two metals.

Next, we will discuss how this method became so popular.

Copper and Turquoise Vessels

When Ruben Paroshalmi, a Jewish man, invented turquoise inlaying on copper sixty years ago in the Jewish quarter of Isfahan, he probably never imagined that this art would become so widely used and beloved today.

He learned to work with this stone from his uncle. However, Ruben’s uncle and others who worked with these crushed stones often inlaid them onto gold or silver vessels or jewelry.

Ruben, however, was the first person who thought of inlaying the crushed stone onto copper metal. The combination of the brown color of copper with the blue of turquoise is reminiscent of the combination of these same two colors in the architecture of Isfahan’s Safavid era, and perhaps this is what caused turquoise-inlaid copper to quickly become popular among Iranians.

But this cultural and mental background among Iranians is not the only factor that has led to the prevalence of turquoise-inlaid copper.

The issue is that most of us also care about the properties of the vessels and jewelry we use. Copper is one of the most beneficial metals; according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this metal eliminates more than 90% of bacteria within two hours of contamination.

Firuzeh Kubi Handicrafts

Now that we are familiar with the properties of turquoise-inlaid copper and have discussed the history of this art, we want to describe the method of creating these handicrafts.

Like any other art, the creation of works in this field of handicrafts involves several stages.

The first stage is called “Zargari” (Goldsmithing/Metalworking). In this stage, the copper is shaped and finished to prepare it for the turquoise inlay.

In fact, those who want to make a copper and turquoise vessel first cut, shape, and polish the copper according to the vessel they intend to make, so that its surface is ready for work.

However, not all of this work is done by the turquoise-inlaying artist.

The process is such that the artist, based on the design they have in mind for the artwork, commissions a coppersmith. Once the coppersmith creates the copper vessel or art piece, either by hand or with a press machine, the work of the “Kham-kar” (Bender/Shaper) begins.

So far, we understand that the first part of the metalworking stage is to form the general shape of the artwork.

The next part is to define the areas of the copper where the turquoise is to be inlaid.

This part of the first stage is where the work of the Bender/Shaper starts. This craftsman’s job is to create bends on the copper using bending machines. By “bends,” we mean the protrusions or indentations made on the metal to create the necessary space and, in effect, the base for setting the turquoise.

To do this, the Bender/Shaper solders a thin metal strip around the space for the turquoise inlay to create a wall a few millimeters high on the copper.

If the work is to be very delicate and a large space is to be created for the turquoise inlay, the Bender/Shaper also solders smaller metal strips decoratively within this space.

The purpose of this is to both beautify the form of the work and increase the strength of the art piece.

The second stage of making turquoise-inlaid copper vessels is to re-cut the stones to create a delicate and beautiful work.

In the first part of this stage, the artist washes and sifts the turquoise fragments. They then select the appropriate turquoise stones based on the type and size of the desired product.

After selecting the suitable stones, it is time to glue them onto the copper.

To do this, our artist first heats the copper vessel and sprinkles powdered lacquer adhesive onto the areas for the turquoise inlay. The adhesive melts due to the heat and covers the indented or raised surface.

They then place the stone fragments onto the molten adhesive and press them onto the copper to stick them.

The smaller the distance between the stones, the more elegant the artwork will be.

For this reason, the artist applies more heat to the copper vessel and sprinkles a little more lacquer powder over the stones. After the lacquer powder melts, they pour smaller stones onto it to fill the gaps between the larger stones.

Finally, by pressing the turquoise onto the copper, they ensure that the stones adhere well to the metal surface.

Now it’s time to even out the surface of the work. Our artist sands the lacquer and stones to remove the protrusions of the stones and lacquer debris from the surface, creating a polished piece.

After these steps, the second stage is complete, and we reach the final stage of cutting and finishing.

To finish the work, they fix the turquoises in place and polish the surface to make the product more brilliant.

The process involves polishing the surface with a diamond blade to remove excess adhesive and smooth the surface of the stones.

For the final finish, they sand it and, in the end, spray a layer of polyester on the surface to make the product washable.

The last part of the finishing is done in two phases.

The first phase is dedicated to removing the dull layer that forms on the copper during the work. In this phase, the artist removes this dull layer from the copper with hand tools or a wheel blade and then polishes the product to achieve a glossy surface.

The second phase is specifically for polishing the turquoise-inlaid surfaces. In this phase, these surfaces are waxed with olive oil or sesame oil to achieve transparency.

The Price of Firuzeh Kubi

If you have been involved in creating artworks, you know that executing the various stages of product creation is only one of the parameters determining its quality.

In fact, it is the application of delicacy and precision in the execution of each of these stages that determines the quality and ultimately the price of turquoise-inlaid copper.

Regarding the art we are discussing, whether the work is handmade or machine-made is one of the factors that affects the price of the item, because it goes without saying that a product made with machines can never match the delicate work that comes from the hands of artists.

The size of the stones, the quality of the copper metal used, and the size of the vessel are other factors that determine the price of turquoise inlaying on copper.

Also, keep in mind that decorative vessels have greater delicacy and, naturally, a higher price compared to functional items.

The next indicator for determining the price of turquoise-inlaid vessels is the authenticity of the stone.

Let’s not forget that genuine turquoise has a matte color, and although this color has some uniformity, impurities can also be seen in the form of thin veins on it.

The cuts on a genuine stone are evident, and it has a greater weight than a fake stone.

This greater weight is due to the denser texture of the genuine stone, which can be felt by touch.

Contrary to what it may seem, the color of a genuine stone changes over time. However, it is the authenticity of the stone that prevents it from being scratched by a needle and from changing color in sunlight.

Another important issue in determining the price of copper and turquoise vessels is the number of stones used in them.

If you have looked closely at works of this art, you have surely seen that a black-colored lacquer is used to attach the stones to the copper. On each piece of this art, you can see the blue turquoise fragments alongside this black lacquer.

The point is that the higher the density of the stones, the more exquisite and expensive the product is, and as the number of these stones decreases, the price of the item is reduced.

The Price of Isfahan Firuzeh Kubi

Everything we have said so far about the importance of authentic raw materials and the use of powerful execution techniques has probably convinced you not to go for cheap turquoise inlaying, because buying high-quality Firuzeh Kubi can be a kind of long-term financial investment, and by purchasing such a product, you increase the value of your money over time.

Just as when you buy gold, you put it in a safe to preserve its financial value, after buying turquoise-inlaid vessels, you must also take good care of these exquisite items to preserve your financial and artistic assets.

Such products have greater delicacy compared to everyday dishes, and to preserve them over the years, you must pay attention to various points.

First of all, do not forget that this type of handicraft should not come into contact with hard objects, so if you want to clean them, do not use a scouring pad or a dishwasher. In fact, it is better to wash these exquisite products by hand and dry them with a soft cloth.

Besides the cleaning tools, the choice of detergents is also important. Let’s not forget that turquoise stone and copper metal are very sensitive, and for this reason, you should use mild detergents to clean these products and avoid heavy chemical substances like bleach.

Also, keep in mind that cleaning this product with oil will lead to the dulling of its stones.

Be careful to dry these products after washing and store them in a cool place, because humidity and heat damage these items.

Due to the sensitivity of these products to heat and light, make sure not to expose them to sunlight.

Another point about maintaining these products is that you should be careful to place them in a safe location to prevent them from being struck, because if these items are hit or dropped, their turquoise will come loose.

Isfahan Firuzeh Kubi

Now that we are familiar with the factors affecting the price of Isfahan’s Firuzeh Kubi handicrafts and understand what points to consider to preserve it, it is good to see in which city the best examples of this art can be found.

We may associate copper with Kerman and turquoise with Mashhad, but Firuzeh Kubi in Isfahan certainly holds a different status compared to other cities in the country.

Let’s not forget that Isfahan has been a place for creating various handicrafts since the Safavid era, which is nearly four hundred years ago. Perhaps the long history of these arts in this ancient city has become ordinary and everyday for many of us, and we may not realize the importance of this fact.

However, we must not forget that this four-hundred-year experience has made the craftsmen and artists of this city experts in understanding customer needs and the subtleties of the work, to the extent that we continuously witness the emergence of new arts and the updating of methods for creating older arts in Isfahan.

Isfahan’s Firuzeh Kubi is no exception. Isfahan is considered the center of production for these products, and it is natural that this centrality has led to the high diversity of goods in this field of handicrafts in the said city.

This high diversity has made it possible for enthusiasts of this art to come to this city and easily find and purchase their desired item.

Firuzeh Kubi Products

Now that we know which city to go to for the best examples of these products, it is a good idea to also get acquainted with the various products related to this handicraft.

At the end of this section of the article, you will be amazed by the amount of diversity that human creativity can achieve with copper metal and turquoise stone.

However, despite the high diversity of these goods, we can find a basic categorization for them.

In fact, it can perhaps be said that these products are divided into three general categories: jewelry, decorative vessels, and serving dishes.

Pitchers, nut bowls, sugar bowls, “Laleh” style bowls, vases, rosewater sprinklers, mirrors, samovars, *sangab* (large ornate bowls), sweets dishes, *kashkul* (dervish bowls), and sugar bowls are various products that the artists of this field creatively produce.

Firuzeh Kubi Vessels

We mentioned that jewelry and vessels are the two main categories of products in this artistic field.

However, the popularity of Isfahan’s Firuzeh Kubi vessels has greatly increased in recent years, and Iranians have turned to these creative dishes to beautify their workplaces and homes.

The turquoise-inlaid “flying saucer” plate is one of the most unique vessels produced with this art. Perhaps the name of this product is interesting to you. We must say that the reason for this naming is that the overall form of this item resembles a flying saucer.

But the appeal of this item is not limited to its creative form. This unique form is completely functional, and you can use this artistic dish at your parties.

This dish can be used as a chocolate bowl, a *gaz* (nougat) dish, or a nut bowl, and you can gift it to your loved ones or colleagues on occasions like Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Employee’s Day.

You can put the sugar for your tea in a Firuzeh Kubi sugar bowl and also use a pear-shaped Firuzeh Kubi vase to beautify your parties with fresh flowers.

Wholesale of Firuzeh Kubi

Now that you are familiar with the history, production method, maintenance, price, and various products of the art in question, you might have decided to purchase it.

If you are looking for a reliable store in the field of selling Firuzeh Kubi, Khadem-Mellat has solved your problem.

If you are in Isfahan, you can come to our store in person and buy your desired product.

If you live in a city other than Isfahan, there is no need to worry.

You can easily buy your desired products through our website.

We will pack and ship your desired artwork in the most secure way possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Firuzeh Kubi (Turquoise Inlaying) emerge?

This is a neo-traditional art. Eighty years ago, Mohammad-Reza Hakimian invented it in Mashhad. Haj Dadash introduced this art to Isfahan, and Ruben Paroshalmi turned to inlaying turquoise on copper in the Jewish quarter of Isfahan.

What are the stages of making Firuzeh Kubi handicrafts?

The creation of these artworks includes three stages: shaping and finishing the copper, gluing the turquoise onto the copper, and final cutting and finishing.

What factors determine the price of turquoise-inlaid copper?

Delicacy and precision in production, whether the process is handmade or machine-made, the size of the stones, the quality of the copper metal, the size of the vessel, the authenticity of the turquoise stone, and its density all affect the price of this product.

What factors should be considered in the maintenance of Firuzeh Kubi vessels?

Not cleaning the product with hard objects, heavy chemical substances, or oil; drying it after washing; and not exposing it to heat, light, or impact are important factors in maintaining this item.

What do Firuzeh Kubi products include?

These products are divided into three general categories: jewelry, decorative vessels, and serving dishes.