Onyx Turchese (also Turquoise Onyx, Onice Turchese, Golden Turquoise Onyx, Kerman Turquoise Onyx or Persian Turquoise Onyx) is a dramatically multicoloured Iranian calcite onyx from the tradition-rich onyx extraction region around Kerman in the south of Iran, with characteristically cool turquoise-blue to light grey-blue areas combined with warm golden, honey and amber-coloured vein zones. Highly translucent — the first choice for backlit wall claddings, exclusive bar counter fronts, accent walls and prestigious decorative interior architecture with an expressive, multicoloured, luxurious statement look in the manner of Persian court architecture.
Other trade names: Golden Turquoise Onyx, Kerman Turquoise Onyx, RO-10-012, Turquoise Onyx
About Onyx Turchese
Onyx Turchese is one of the rarest and visually most sensational onyx varieties in the world. The stone comes from the Iranian province of Kerman in the south of Iran — a region that has been known for centuries for its rare blue and turquoise minerals; the Persian city of Kerman gives the famous gemstone “Persian Turquoise” its name. The onyx quarries of the region produce an exceptional multicoloured onyx grade with a tonality found in no other onyx occurrence worldwide: cool turquoise-blue to light grey-blue areas combined with warm golden yellow, honey-coloured and amber-brown vein zones — a material signature that reads like a petrified Persian mosaic. In the international stone trade the designation “Onyx Turchese” or “Turquoise Onyx” is used for this rare Iranian grade; parallel trade names are Onice Turchese, Golden Turquoise Onyx, Kerman Turquoise Onyx and Persian Turquoise Onyx.
Geologically, Onyx Turchese, like all onyx varieties, is a chemical sedimentary stone formed by the slow precipitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated calcareous spring or cave waters. The unusual multicoloured tonality results from two alternating phases of mineralisation: phases with a high concentration of iron oxide produce the warm golden yellow and honey-amber areas, while phases with embedded copper-bearing or amethyst-like mineral components — possibly also manganese ions or chrysocolla inclusions — have brought forth the rare turquoise-blue tonalities. This mineralogical complexity makes Onyx Turchese an outspokenly rare and correspondingly high-priced onyx grade — availability is markedly more limited compared with warm Iranian onyx versions (Vaniglia, Sultan, Lemon).
Visually, Onyx Turchese is characterised by an exceptionally theatrical, almost dreamlike material signature that counts among the most spectacular onyx looks worldwide. On a complex slab pattern, cool turquoise-blue to light grey-blue areas merge fluidly with warm golden, honey-yellow and ochre-brown vein zones, interspersed with cream white calcite accents and occasional deeper copper-brown pools. The high-contrast warm-cool colour transitions create an exceptionally lively, almost watercolour-painterly slab pattern — no square metre resembles another, and every slab is a unique piece of exceptional colour intensity. With book-matched laying — the mirrored laying of adjacent slabs — particularly impressive, almost surreally symmetrical large-scale patterns arise, which in prestigious wall claddings read like petrified Persian miniatures.
The outstanding property of Onyx Turchese is its exceptional translucency — the ability to let light shine through the material. Backlit, the stone shows an exceptionally complex play of light: the warm areas glow golden amber, the turquoise-blue areas shimmer cool and mineral, and the transitions between them create an almost magical atmosphere of light that is comparable with no other natural material. This effect makes Onyx Turchese one of the most sought-after materials for the highest backlit interior architecture — top-class hospitality, exclusive private residences, yacht interior fit-outs and prestigious statement bars and lounges use the stone as backlit wall claddings, counter fronts and accent walls.
Technically, Onyx Turchese is a comparatively soft and sensitive material — markedly softer than marble, with a high acid sensitivity, low abrasion resistance and limited load capacity. Quantitative data sheets from the authoritative natural stone databases are not available in standardised form for this specific variety, since the stone is traded primarily as a design material. Like all carbonate rocks, Onyx Turchese is acid-sensitive and reacts to citric acid, vinegar or acidic cleaners with a matt etching. Fabrication is traditionally carried out in thicknesses of 2 cm, frequently also in thinner thicknesses of 1 cm to 1.5 cm for backlit applications.
In interior fit-out, Onyx Turchese is arguably the most theatrical decorative statement material on the modern stone market. Classic applications are backlit wall claddings in hotel lobbies and entrance areas of the highest category; bar counters and counter fronts with backlighting in exclusive establishments; bathroom accent walls and illuminated mirror surfaces in luxurious bathrooms; decorative column claddings; free-standing wall panels with staged lighting; table and console tops as spectacular statement furniture; yacht interior fit-outs. The unique multicoloured tonality of Onyx Turchese harmonises particularly with muted neutral wall colours, with dark timbers and with brass, bronze and gold accents — the stone is a visual soloist of the highest expressive power, which should be used in rooms where it may function as the undisputed centre of the composition.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
17 slabs in stock · plus 1 block
Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Polished · Available as: Slabs
Onyx Turchese is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Polished
Polishing is the preferred finish for onyx — the mirror-smooth surface brings out the material's varied colour character in full. The highest possible colour intensity and deep light reflection. Onyx is acid-sensitive and softer against scratches than marble — recommended for wall cladding and designed visible surfaces, less so for worktops.
Care & fabrication
Onyx Turchese is a sensitive decorative material and calls for careful maintenance. Because of its carbonate composition the stone is acid-sensitive — acidic foods such as lemon juice, vinegar, wine, cola and fruit juices as well as acidic cleaners cause matt etch marks even on brief contact. For daily cleaning use exclusively warm water with a pH-neutral stone cleaning agent; aggressive household cleaners, abrasive sponges or microfibre cloths with an abrading effect are absolutely to be avoided. Take up spilled acidic liquids immediately with clean water. A professional impregnation after laying and then every 1 to 2 years is urgently recommended — it reduces the take-up of pigments (red wine, coffee, olive oil) and protects the polished surface from water droplet rims. Because of the multicoloured tonality, discolourations are visually particularly apparent — taking up all soiling immediately is standard. For backlit wall claddings the care requirement is low — occasional dusting and gentle wiping with a damp cloth is enough. With vanity units and bar counters, gentle cleaning agents should be used without exception.
Frequently asked questions
What does the designation “Turchese” / “Turquoise” mean?
“Turchese” is Italian for “turquoise” and refers to the characteristically cool turquoise-blue areas of this Iranian onyx. The designations Onyx Turchese, Turquoise Onyx and similar trade names are commercial descriptions for the unique multicoloured tonality of the stone, which combines cool turquoise-blue with warm golden areas. The colouring is not as intense as in the gemstone turquoise, but has an unmistakable mineral blue character that distinguishes this onyx grade from all other onyx versions.
Where does Onyx Turchese come from?
Onyx Turchese is quarried in the province of Kerman in the south of Iran — a region that has been known for centuries for rare blue and turquoise minerals; the Persian city of Kerman gives the famous gemstone “Persian Turquoise” its name. The onyx quarries of the region produce an exceptional multicoloured onyx grade with a tonality that is to be found in this form nowhere else in the world.
Why is Onyx Turchese so rare?
The rare multicoloured tonality of Onyx Turchese results from an unusual geological history of mineralisation: two alternating phases of mineralisation with different colouring mineral components have brought forth the unusual colour spectrum. Phases with a concentration of iron oxide produce the warm golden areas; phases with copper-bearing, manganese-bearing or similar mineral components produce the rare turquoise-blue tonalities. This geological constellation is unusual and makes Onyx Turchese a correspondingly limited and high-priced onyx grade.
How does Onyx Turchese differ from other Iranian onyxes?
Onyx Turchese is unique within the Iranian onyx family through its cool turquoise-blue areas, which stand in contrast to the warm tonalities of the other Iranian onyx versions (Vaniglia, Sultan, Lemon, Cappuccino). The multicoloured composition of cool turquoise-blue and warm golden areas makes Onyx Turchese the most dramatic and visually most varied Iranian onyx grade. The other warm Iranian onyxes are monotonally warm in colour — Onyx Turchese, by contrast, combines cool and warm tonalities in one stone.
Can Onyx Turchese be backlit?
Yes — and backlighting is the most spectacular application of this onyx grade. The crystalline layered structure of the stone lets light pass through the material in an exceptionally complex play of light: the warm areas glow golden amber, the turquoise-blue areas shimmer cool and mineral, and the transitions between them create an almost magical atmosphere of light. For backlit laying, thinner slab thicknesses (1 to 1.5 cm) are mostly chosen. Onyx Turchese is one of the most impressive choices for backlit statement walls in the highest interior architecture.
Is Onyx Turchese suitable for kitchen worktops?
Only to a limited extent. The acid sensitivity to lemon juice, vinegar, wine and cola as well as the lower hardness compared with marble and granite make onyx less than ideal for family kitchens with a claim to robustness. Because of the rarity of the material and the high price level, Onyx Turchese is typically also not recommended for intensive everyday applications such as family kitchens — for such applications acid-insensitive hard rocks are the right choice. Onyx Turchese is primarily a statement material for special design applications.
What does Onyx Turchese cost?
The price depends on the batch, thickness, surface finish and fabrication — with natural stone there is no serious flat rate per square metre. Business customers see prices once their B2B account is activated; private customers receive a complete quote through a fabricator near them.
