Certified 300.35ct Parallel-Growth Aquamarine Cluster with Mica – Natural Pakistan Blue Beryl Specimen

GLverify.com Certificate No: 901198526576

Certified Value: US $275.00

This Specimen is a 300.35-carat aquamarine crystal cluster from the renowned pegmatite fields of northern Pakistan. It features a dense forest of parallel, vertically aligned aquamarine prisms with exceptional geometric definition, pale blue coloration, and strong translucency. Intergrown mica accents enhance the natural aesthetic and confirm its pegmatitic origin. This is a large, impressive display specimen showcasing textbook aquamarine crystal habit and structural formation, ideal for collectors, educators, and high-visibility display settings.

1. Identified Minerals
✔ Aquamarine (Blue Beryl) — Dominant Mineral

This Specimen consists primarily of aquamarine crystals arranged in a tightly packed, parallel-growth formation.

Diagnostic features visible:
Uniform pale to icy blue coloration
Hexagonal prism structures with sharply defined faces
Vertical growth striations
Large interlocking prism clusters
Smooth to slightly frosted natural terminations on select crystals
High translucency with internal veiling typical of Pakistan aquamarine

This style—multiple upright aquamarine prisms growing together—is highly regarded and very characteristic of Shigar Valley pegmatites.

✔ Mica Group Mineral (Likely Muscovite or Phlogopite)
Small mica clusters are present near the lower section of the specimen.

Identifying traits:
Silvery-tan platy crystals
Sheet-like habit with perfect cleavage
Pearly to semi-metallic luster
Attached naturally at growth junctions between aquamarine prisms
These small mica inclusions add mineralogical context and authenticity.

✔ Feldspar or Quartz (Minor Matrix Component)
Light beige or off-white material at the base likely represents:
Albite feldspar, or
Quartz pocket residue
Both are natural matrix components common in Pakistani beryl-bearing pegmatites.

2. Structural Description
Crystal Habit
This Specimen displays a “parallel-growth aquamarine cluster”, where many beryl prisms grew side-by-side in aligned orientation.
Several of the upper crystals show partial natural terminations.
The cluster architecture suggests crystallization along a cavity wall or fracture vein.

Surface Features
Prism faces are well-defined and smooth.
Some mild etching and natural dissolution features are present, typical of late-stage hydrothermal activity.
Mica sheets grow between beryl segments, indicating sequential pegmatitic formation.

Color & Clarity
Soft, uniform pale blue across the entire specimen.
Crystals are translucent rather than fully transparent, which is expected for large parallel-growth clusters.
Subtle internal veils produce a soft glow when light enters the crystal mass.

Overall Aesthetic Qualities
Excellent structural symmetry.
Highly displayable from multiple angles.
The combination of aquamarine prisms and mica creates strong visual interest.
Significant size (300+ carats) makes this a cabinet-grade showpiece.

3. Geological Context
Likely Origin:
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

This area is world-famous for producing:
Aquamarine
Topaz
Mica
Quartz
Complex pegmatite mineral assemblages

Formation Environment
Aquamarine forms in granitic pegmatites, where:
Early crystallization produces feldspar and quartz.
Later, beryllium-rich fluids infiltrate open cavities.
Aquamarine crystals nucleate along cavity walls, often forming parallel-growth clusters as seen in This Specimen.

Hydrothermal fluids deposit mica between beryl crystals.

Cooling and subsequent chemical activity enhance clarity and natural etching.

This Specimen clearly reflects all of these geological processes.

Condition & Authenticity Assessment
100% natural aquamarine
Unheated and untreated
No dyeing, coating, or stabilization
Retains original growth surfaces and internal crystal features

Suitable for:
Mineral specimen collections
Display pieces
Educational or certification purposes