Specifications
Descripción
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 across a feldspar-rich matrix, surrounded by clusters of pale muscovite in rosette formations. The aquamarine shows a soft blue to slightly greenish tone with good transparency and visible internal zoning, along with a clean, naturally terminated end. The contrast between the smooth, glassy beryl and the angular feldspar crystals, paired with the delicate mica blades, gives the piece strong texture and visual layering.
The formation reflects a late-stage pegmatitic environment where mineral growth occurred in a sequence. Feldspar crystallized first, forming the structural base, followed by muscovite growing in platy aggregates. Aquamarine formed last from beryllium-rich fluids that moved through open spaces in the pegmatite, allowing for the development of a larger, more isolated crystal. The iron staining visible in parts of the matrix suggests later fluid activity, adding warm tones to the otherwise neutral host rock.
Metaphysically, aquamarine is associated with calmness, clear communication, and emotional balance. It is often chosen by those looking to approach situations with clarity and composure.
Chemical Composition: Be3Al2Si6O18
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.