The Free Thinker

Turquoise is a gemstone with two probable firsts–first to be mined and first to be imitated. Indirect evidence suggests that the Wadi Maghara and Serabit el-Khadem mines on the Sinai Peninsula were in production before 3100 BCE. Egyptian turquoise beads dating to 4000 BCE have been found at al-Badari.

By 3100 BCE, either supplies were not meeting demand or a cheaper substitute was desired, because imitations (soapstone glazed blue and green—a form of faience) are found as artifacts of this period.