Investigating The Status of Gemstones Trade In The Ilkhanids and Timurids Period

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master’s Degree in History of Islamic Iran, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan

2 Associate Professor of Department of History at University of Isfahan

10.22034/jiiph.2025.64747.2552

Abstract

Gemstones had a significant place in the commercial relations of Ilkhanids and Timurids period. During the Ilkhanids and Timurids periods, markets around gemstones had emerged in some areas. The use of gemstones in people's lives, especially among gentlefolk, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the lack of gemstones mines in Iran led to the formation of the trade of gemstones. The leading research aims to investigate the status of trade of gemstones in Ilkhanids and Timurids periods by using historical sources. The research method is descriptive-analytical and the data was collected based on the library method. The findings show that, despite the lack of gemstones mines in Iran, mines rich in turquoise and abundant resources were available for pearl fishing, which, while meeting domestic needs, a part of it was exported. At this time, elite merchants were engaged in the pricing of precious stones as officials. Gemstones trade was more prosperous in the western regions of the country during the Ilkhanids period and in the eastern regions during the Timurids period. During the Ilkhanids period, most of the pearls caught in the city of Baghdad were graded and prepared for export. Trade in gemstones during the Timurids period was also carried out in cities such as Tabriz, Soltanieh, Samarkand and Herat. Meanwhile, Samarkand and Herat were more important. During this period, gemstones were imported in the city of Samarkand, and artists related to this field were active in the city of Herat.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Iranian Islamic Period History

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 September 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 24 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 30 September 2025

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