Oltu: black jet workshops of Erzurum

Where: Middle East · Asia · approx. 40.55, 42.0 (vicinity only)

Why this spot: Rockhounding locality: Oltu stone, a carvable jet called black amber, is dug from about 600 small quarries in villages northeast of Oltu town and carved into prayer beads and jewelry sold across Erzurum

What turns up: Oltu jet prayer beads, rings and pipes (buy), rough jet chunks from workshop bins; test authenticity: it streaks chocolate brown on unglazed porcelain

Access: Clean.

Buying carved Oltu stone at Oltu town workshops or the Tashan bazaar in Erzurum is the lane; the village quarries are privately worked pits at 1,600-1,800 m, not open to casual digging without an invitation

Satellite view, historic-map overlays, tide/flow context and field notes are in the app. Exact research detail is part of Pro.