GemmologicalCharacteristics of Gemstone Varieties Found in the Pegmatiteof Haramosh Area, Gilgit-Baltistan

Abstract

Haramosh valley is located in eastern side of Gilgit city (Fig. 1). Geographically it is located between 74°44' 17.37 " E and 35° 51 '8.97 " N. The area is a sub range of Karakoram in the south-central region of the Rakaposhi–Haramosh mountains. Haramosh valley is famous for its gemstones which are well known in the world. The first gem mine was discovered in 1951 in the area of Haramosh valley in Gilgit. The prominent four localities of gem-bearing pegmatites occur in the vicinity of the Haramosh peak, Shengus along Indus river, Haramosh Bulachi village, and the setting of Khaltoro pasture. Along with glaciers, Hindukush Karakorum and Himalayan ranges host a variety of precious stones (Agheem et al., 2014). In recent decade Haramosh valley received more attention because of the occurrence of a variety of gems in pegmatite veins. Gemstone varieties related to pegmatites are also found in other parts of Gilgit Baltistan, like Shigar, Shengus, and Stuk Nala (Kazmi et al., Laurs et al., 1998).Pegmatites are found widely in Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan within the mountain ranges of Karakoram (Laurs et al. 1998). These macrolitic pegmatite’s are mainly associated with leucogranites in Haramosh Massif, which is famous for recent rapid uplift (Laurs et al., 1998; Zeitler 1985). Various crystals of topaz, tourmaline, beryl, and quartz are being mined from these macrolitic pegmatite’s (Laurs et al., 1998). Famous tourmaline crystal (10cm) of Pakistan is found in Stuk Nala of Nanga Parbat Haramosh Massif (Laurs et al., 1998).