Certified Brilliant 346.50ct Aquamarine Crystal Cluster on Muscovite & Feldspar Matrix – Pakistan Mineral Specimen

GLverify.com Certificate No: 901065846525

Certified Value: US $480.00

Specimen Type: Aquamarine with Muscovite on Feldspar Matrix
Weight: 346.50 Carat
Origin: Northern Pakistan (likely Skardu–Shigar–Hunza pegmatite belt)
Primary Mineral: Aquamarine (Beryl variety)
Associated Minerals: Muscovite Mica, Feldspar (Albite), Minor Quartz
Specimen Style: Multi-crystal cluster with a dominant, well-formed hexagonal aquamarine termination rising above the matrix

1. Primary Mineral Identification – Aquamarine (Blue Beryl)
This Specimen features several intergrown aquamarine crystals, exhibiting:
Pale icy-blue coloration, characteristic of low-iron aquamarine from Shigar Valley.
Hexagonal prism habit with a prominent upright crystal that shows a clean termination.
Visible vertical striations along prism faces—classic for beryl minerals.
Semi-transparent zones transitioning to translucent massive aquamarine at the base.
Minimal internal fractures considering the size, excellent for display purposes.
The clarity and structure indicate pegmatitic formation under slow-cooling hydrothermal conditions.

2. Secondary & Accessory Minerals
✔ Muscovite Mica
Seen as:
Silvery-golden, reflective mica plates
Layered, book-like aggregates
Surrounding and partially embedded into the aquamarine cluster
These micas are typical of Pakistani granitic pegmatites.

✔ Feldspar (Likely Albite)
The white, blocky matrix is characteristic of:
Albite feldspar, a common host mineral for aquamarine
Displays sugary/granular cleavage surfaces
Provides strong contrast to the blue beryl

✔ Minor Quartz
Some translucent white areas appear to be quartz intergrowths, common where aquamarine crystallizes alongside feldspar.

3. Structural Description
This Specimen presents:
A large aquamarine “crown crystal”, rising vertically above the matrix with excellent natural geometry.
Multiple aquamarine sub-crystals radiating outward from the main cluster, forming an aesthetic fan-like arrangement.
A robust muscovite-rich base, stabilizing the aquamarine and providing earthy color contrast.
Minimal damage, with the primary aquamarine termination being mostly intact and display-ready.
This structure is highly desirable among collectors because it displays both formational environment and mineral association beautifully.

4. Geological Context
This Specimen originates from Pakistan’s renowned high-altitude pegmatite fields, particularly those in the:

Skardu
Shigar Valley
Hunza region

These zones host granitic pegmatites formed under:
High temperature + slow cooling
Boron-rich fluids, enabling beryl crystallization
Aluminum-rich host rocks, forming muscovite and feldspar associations

Such geological conditions create striking, sharply terminated aquamarine crystals often growing alongside mica and feldspar.

This Specimen represents a textbook example of Pakistani pegmatite mineralization.

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