PKV1 Beryl var. Aquamarine

Shigar Valley, Baltistan Pakistan

10.6x 8.0x 4.4 cm

$2800

A large terminated aquamarine rises from an albite matrix that is studded with garnets and small quartz crystals. 

The color is about as good as it gets for Pakistan, much better than the Chumar Bakhoor pieces (the ones with the muscovite matrixes) from farther south. 

There is a chunk of albite that has partially interrupted the growth of the back side of crystal (you can sort of see this in the image below and to the right).  The crystal is absolutely undamaged, moreover it is terminated and it displays perfectly from the front.

There is also a double terminated quartz crystal on the lower front of the matrix, that is included by several garnet crystals.

There is admittedly a bit of damage around the edges, but even so this is a remarkably large crystal, for the price.

6.0x 4.7x 4.2 cm.

$400

An unusual apatite from Shigar.  Apatites from this locality are usually short prisms, but this one is considerably longer than the typical specimen.

The crystal sits atop several muscovite books and albite crystals.  This is an excellent small cabinet specimen, and a beautiful example from the locality.

PKV4 Beryl var. Aquamarine

Shigar Valley, Baltistan Pakistan

6.3x 1.1x 1.2 cm

$475

A beautiful crystal of aquamarine, boasting exceptional color.  The majority of these single aquamarines are pale at best, but the vibrant color of this specimen makes it stand out.

12.6x 8.4x 6.8 cm.

$450

A large cabinet specimen, with a terminated topaz crystal sitting at the center of an albite matrix.  There is some quartz and muscovite elsewhere on the specimen, including a terminated quartz just above the topaz.

6.3x 5.4x 5.0 cm.

$225

A cluster of two light brown topaz crystals.  The crystals are etched on the reverse, and appear to be floaters.  I cannot find any points of attachment.  On the back of the topazes are numerous small tourmalines, and there is also one small elbaite on top of the main topaz crystal--you can sort of see it in the pictures.

3.6x 2.6x 2.2 cm.

$160

A terminated, sherry colored crystal of topaz, with a double terminated quartz crystal perched on its edge.

2.7x 2.9x 3.5 cm.

$160

A deeply colored topaz crystal from northern Pakistan. The specimen is perfectly terminated, and its faces are lustrous.

4.7x 3.6x 4.0 cm.

$120

 A miniature specimen hosting a water clear, lightly colored crystal of topaz.  The topaz crystal shares its albite matrix with two well formed muscovite books.

4.7x 2.4x 2.2 cm.

$135

A terminated, lightly colored and water clear topaz crystal on a sliver of quartz.

PKV11 Beryl var. Aquamarine

Shigar Valley, Baltistan Pakistan

4.8x 3.2x 4.3 cm

$265

A water clear aquamarine crystal with a dome-like termination rises from an albite matrix.  The piece stands perfectly for display, and the aquamarine is absolutely undamaged.

PKV12 Garnet var. Spessartine, Orthoclase, Quartz

Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan

6.2x 4.8x 6.8 cm

$95

A cabinet specimen hosting a number of deep red spessartine garnets.

PKV13 Garnet var. Spessartine, Orthoclase, Schorl

Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan

6.0x 4.8x 3.2 cm

$85

A specimen of bright red garnets on an albite crystal.  There is also an etched schorl on the reverse.

PKV15 Väyrynenite, Herderite, Topaz, Tourmaline, Albite

Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan

2.8x 2.3x 1.9 cm

$395

This specimen is small, but it it is one of the most unusual combinations I have ever seen from Pakistan.

It consists of a sherry colored topaz crystal (with a chip on the reverse) sharing an albite matrix with a couple partial elbaite tourmalines.  On top of the topaz is a double terminated herderite--which on its own is already quite rare from Pakistan.  Underneath the herderite however, is a small spray of pink vayrynenite.

It is the only such association I have ever seen--vaynyneite usually occurs as isolated, matrixless crystals.  I have seen one specimen with an eosphorite association, but never vaynynenite associated with so many other minerals.

2.4x 2.1x 2.1 cm.

$75

A green, dodecahedral crystal of fluorite perched on a matrix of schorl and albite.  A cute little thumbnail.

PKV17 Beryl var. Aquamarine, Albite

Shigar Valley, Baltistan Pakistan

3.9x 2.2x 1.9 cm

$100

A very gemmy and terminated aquamarine on a matrix of albite crystals.  This piece has not been cleaned, but I expect some of the iron oxide would disappear.

2.9x 2.8x 3.6 cm.

$100

 A beautiful miniature specimen, consisting of an aquamarine with albite on quartz.  The aquamarine is a beautiful light blue color, and has a dome termination.

2.5x 2.4x 2.2

$50

 A thumbnail specimen, with two gemmy and terminated topaz crystals on a quartz matrix.

3.7x 2.6x 2.2

$100

A very interesting and unusual miniature specimen.  The aquamarine on this piece consists of a cluster of parallel crystals, each with a dome termination.  The crystals  are all perched on a scrap of albite. 

In the images, the crystals tend to blend together, but in person they are quite distinct.