Specifications
Beschreibung
Locality: Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Description: This aquamarine comes from the Shigar Valley in Baltistan, in the high Karakoram of northern Pakistan. The valley lies about 32 km northeast of Skardu, and its gem-bearing pegmatite dikes are exposed at high altitude along the Shigar and Braldu rivers, much of it reachable only by jeep track. Gemmologists at GIA describe northern Pakistan as an increasingly important source of aquamarine, with the Shigar, Hunza and Braldu valleys among the main areas.
Geologists from the University of Peshawar mapped these pegmatites as part of the Karakoram Axial Batholith, intruded into the metamorphic rocks of the Karakoram Metamorphic Complex where the Karakoram plate meets the Kohistan-Ladakh island arc. The gems grow in pockets in the coarse-grained zones of the dikes. Black schorl tourmaline turns up almost everywhere in the valley, alongside topaz, green fluorite, garnet, morganite and quartz.
This specimen features a single, well-defined aquamarine crystal set prominently within a matrix of white feldspar, most likely microcline. The aquamarine shows a classic hexagonal prismatic form with a soft, translucent blue color and visible longitudinal striations along its length. Its clean termination and contrast against the lighter, granular feldspar make it a visually balanced and structurally clear example of pegmatite mineral growth.
Formed in a granitic pegmatite, this piece developed from slow-cooling, mineral-rich fluids that allowed large crystals to grow in open pockets. Aquamarine, a variety of beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈), crystallized alongside potassium feldspar under stable conditions deep within the crust. The Shigar Valley is known for producing high-quality beryl specimens, often associated with feldspar and quartz, reflecting a chemically evolved pegmatite system rich in beryllium and silica.
Metaphysically, aquamarine is associated with clarity, calm thinking, and steady communication. It is often valued for its cooling, balancing presence, while the feldspar matrix is thought to support grounding and stability, creating a combination that is both soothing and centering.
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.