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 multiple aquamarine crystals with a soft, icy blue coloration set into a dense white feldspar matrix. One crystal is elongated and well-defined with visible vertical striations typical of beryl, while a second crystal shows a more blocky, terminated form. The contrast between the translucent aquamarine and the opaque, granular feldspar gives the piece strong visual structure, with additional dark accents from embedded black tourmaline and silvery muscovite adding depth.
Formed in a granitic pegmatite, this association represents a late-stage crystallization environment where rare elements concentrated into pockets. The aquamarine developed from beryllium-rich fluids, while feldspar crystallized earlier as the dominant host. The presence of schorl tourmaline indicates a boron-rich system, and the muscovite reflects potassium-rich conditions. The aquamarine crystals here appear partially embedded, suggesting growth in a semi-open pocket rather than fully free-standing formation.
Metaphysically, aquamarine is associated with calm communication and mental clarity. When paired with black tourmaline, it is often seen as balancing clarity with protection, while muscovite is linked to reflection and insight—making this combination appealing to those drawn to grounding and thoughtful awareness.
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.