Certified 35.65ct Aquamarine Crystal with Mica Matrix – Natural Pakistan Pegmatite Mineral Specimen

GLverify.com Certificate No: 901134821905

Certified Value: US $55.00

This Specimen is a 35.65-carat aquamarine-bearing mineral cluster sourced from northern Pakistan. It features a partially terminated aquamarine (blue beryl) crystal with pale yellow internal zoning, accompanied by abundant mica group minerals and potential quartz matrix. The contrasting textures—glassy beryl, metallic mica blades, and natural inclusions—express classic pegmatitic formation. This Specimen is representative of the world-famous aquamarine deposits of the Gilgit–Skardu region and is ideal for collectors, educational displays, or resale.

1. Identified Minerals

✔ Aquamarine (Blue Beryl)
Observed features:
Main crystal has a rounded/partial termination
Transparent to translucent body
Pale blue coloration with yellowish internal zoning (from iron oxidation or fluid inclusions)
Conchoidal fracture on portions of the surface
Glassy vitreous luster
These are all consistent with aquamarine typical of Pakistan pegmatites.

✔ Mica Group Mineral (Likely Muscovite–Phlogopite Series)
The reflective sheet crystals surrounding the aquamarine display:
Silvery-tan to bronze-brown coloration
Thin, flexible laminae
Perfect basal cleavage
Pearly to semi-metallic luster
Color suggests a muscovite–phlogopite intermediate, common in Pakistani pegmatites.

✔ Quartz (Probable Matrix Component)
Some of the whitish, non-cleaving crystalline portions resemble quartz:
Glassy mass with no visible cleavage planes
Irregular fracture pattern
Acts as a stabilizing base for mica and beryl
Quartz matrix is nearly always present in aquamarine pockets from this region.

2. Structural Description of This Specimen
Aquamarine Structure
A single dominant prism showing partial natural termination
Displays internal clouding and faint inclusions
Yellow iron-staining visible beneath the surface suggests secondary alteration
Sits in a mica-rich cavity, meaning it likely formed in a late-stage hydrothermal pocket
Mica Arrangement
Mica forms a complex, radiating base
Some sheets have curled or folded edges—indicating growth in confined space
Their metallic reflection adds visual contrast against the aquamarine

Aesthetic Properties
Eye-catching due to the mix of:
Blue aquamarine
Yellow mineral staining
Silvery-bronze mica
Good sparkle and texture from all angles
Compact, display-ready size
This Specimen is a classic example of Pakistani pegmatite pocket mineralization.

3. Geological Context
Likely Origin
Skardu, Shigar Valley, Hunza, or surrounding pegmatite zones in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Formation Process
Granite pegmatite intrusion forms deep within the earth.
Mica crystallizes early as water-rich magma cools.
Quartz fills cavities and fractures.
Beryllium-bearing fluids allow aquamarine to grow in late-stage cooling pockets.
Iron oxidation later creates yellow staining or internal coloration in the aquamarine.
This mineral association—beryl + mica + quartz—is one of the signature combinations from this region.

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