TARTARUGA ONYX

Quarry Site and Scientific Classification

The ancient quarries of Tartaruga Onyx are located in the Tuscany region of Italy, near Iano and Montaione. It got its name from its characteristic patterns resembling a tortoise shell. Scientifically, it is a type of "Alabaster" made up of banded calcite and aragonite crystals.

Tartaruga Onyx in the Ottoman Period

Tartaruga Onyx was used in the central plaque of the painting on the wall next to the mihrab section of the Sultanahmet Mosque.