Beryl var. Aquamarine – Shigar Valley -Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
Image by Al_HikesAZ
This is Beryl var. Aquamarine, Goand Mine, Shigar, Skardu, Pakistan courtesy of Fine Art Minerals at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquamarine_(gem)
Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green variety of the beryl family,[2] with its name relating to water and sea.[3] The color of aquamarine can be changed by heat, with a goal to enhance its physical appearance (though this practice is frowned upon by collectors and jewelers).[4] It is the birth stone of March.[5]
Aquamarine is a fairly common gemstone,[6] rendering it more accessible for purchase, compared to other gems in the beryl family.[7] Overall, its value is determined by weight, color,[5] cut, and clarity.[8]
It is transparent to translucent and possesses a hexagonal crystal system.[9] Aquamarine mainly forms in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins,[10] and it is a very lengthy process that can take millions of years to form.[9]
www.mindat.org/loc-5420.html
The Shigar is a tributary of the Indus River to which binds near the town of Skardu. The Basha and Braldu rivers are northern tributaries of the Shigar. Numerous complex granitic pegmatites and some alpine-type deposits are found in this area in an altitude ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 mosl. The Shigar Valley runs along the Main Karakoram Thrust separating the Asian plate at north (metasediments chlorite to amphibolite grade) from Kohistan-Ladakh plate at south (volcaniclastic rocks).
Specimens from Braldu and Basha valley localities are often labeled as "Shigar Valley".
North side of Shigar Valley share a pegmatite complex hosted in gneiss with Braldu Valley which is the source of excellent specimens of aquamarine, topaz and other pegmatite minerals.
www.visittucson.org/tucson-gem-mineral-fossil-showcase/
"Every year the world-renowned Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is like a time portal, a trip around the world, and a treasure hunt all rolled into one. Every winter, more than 65,000 guests from around the globe descend upon Tucson, AZ, to buy, sell, trade, and bear witness to rare and enchanting gems, minerals, and fossils at more than 50 gem show locations across the city. If you’re planning a winter visit to Tucson, you won’t want to miss this three-week-long event filled with shows, related events, a free day at the gem & mineral museum, and much, much more!
"Whether you’re looking for a shimmering crystal necklace or a show-stopping 0,000 crystallized rock from an exotic location, the Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Shows have something for everyone."
www.visittucson.org/blog/post/gems-and-minerals/
www.tgms.org/show
The theme this year was Shades of Green- Experience the Magic. The theme for next year’s show will be Red, White, and Blue Celebrate the Spirit of Minerals
xpopress.com/news/article/783/shades-of-green-70th-annual…
TGMS 2025
Tucson Gem Show 2025
