Beryl var. Aquamarine: Shigar Valley, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Description

Species: Beryl var. Aquamarine, Microcline

Locality: Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 3.2 cm.

SOLD

In the modern age of mineral collecting, Pakistan has been the most productive and well-known source of high-quality aquamarine beryl specimens. Some of the finest aquamarines, such as this choice cluster, come from various pegmatites in the Shigar Valley, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. This is a particularly striking and aesthetic example, consisting of a “starburst” of gemmy, lustrous, sky-blue aquamarine crystals growing off a small white microcline matrix. The upper portions of the crystals in this cluster are completely gemmy, and the light blue color is uniform and attractive. This is a classic Pakistani aquamarine specimen from the late 1980’s (see the Tucson 1988 show poster for a very similar example). It is nearly pristine, complete all around, and weighs 88 grams. From the 1990’s-era dealer stock of Herb Obodda, who specialized is top-quality Pakistani minerals. Ex. Alex Neufeld collection. Annette Slade photo.