Beryl with Muscovite

specimen number:
2072341

location:
Chumar Bakhoor, Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

description:
Crystals of beryl, the variety known as aquamarine, measuring to 4.0 cm in size across a muscovite crystal matrix. In good condition.

The Chumar Bakhoor mine, located in the Hunza Valley of the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan, is a high-altitude pegmatite deposit situated within the Karakoram Range. Geologically, the site consists of granitic pegmatites that intruded into the surrounding metamorphic basement rocks, where slow cooling allowed for the formation of large, open pockets containing well-crystallized minerals. The locality is famous for its exceptional aquamarine, a variety of beryl, which typically occurs as transparent, hexagonal prisms ranging in color from pale sky-blue to deep teal, often found perched on contrasting white albite or associated with muscovite and fluorite. Historically, mining and quarrying at Chumar Bakhoor have been conducted by local miners using traditional, labor-intensive methods due to the extreme elevation of over 4,000 meters and the rugged terrain. While small-scale extraction has occurred for decades, more organized specimen mining intensified in the late 20th century, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s as the demand for Pakistani minerals grew globally. As of 2026, the mine remains an active and vital source of world-class aquamarine specimens, highly valued for their clarity, sharp crystal forms, and aesthetic associations.

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