Aquamarine - Specimen

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.

These Aquamarine mineral specimens from Pakistan are admired for their cool blue to blue-green coloration, natural clarity, and elegant crystal form. These specimens often occur as hexagonal prismatic crystals, sometimes with etched surfaces, natural terminations, or associations with pale feldspar, mica, quartz, or schorl tourmaline. Pakistani Aquamarine is especially valued by collectors for its bright pastel color, glassy luster, and classic mountain-mineral appearance.

Aquamarine is the blue variety of Beryl, the same mineral family that includes Emerald and Morganite. Its name comes from the Latin words meaning “water of the sea,” a reference to its ocean-like color. Pakistan is one of the world’s notable sources of fine Aquamarine specimens, especially from the high-altitude pegmatite deposits of the Shigar Valley, Skardu District. These remote mountain localities are known for producing beautifully formed Aquamarine crystals prized by collectors and lapidaries.

In crystal traditions, aquamarine is associated with calm communication, emotional balance and courage, and with the throat chakra; it is used symbolically for clear expression, peaceful thoughts and protection during travel.

Chemical Composition: Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Chakra: Throat

Specimens are priced by weight (g)

Quantity: 1pc

We do our best to buy quality products- although not every rock is the same. If you choose to purchase the "staff pick option", we will select the best of the batch for you. Otherwise, it will be at random from the larger batch we have in stock.