Gemmological Characteristics of Gemstone Varieties Found in the Pegmatite of Haramosh Area, Gilgit-Baltistan

Haramosh valley is located in eastern side of Gilgitcity (Fig. 1). Geographically it is located between74°44' 17.37 " E and 35° 51 '8.97 " N. The area is asub range of Karakoram in the south-central region ofthe Rakaposhi–Haramosh mountains. Haramosh valleyis famous for its gemstones which are well known inthe world. The first gem mine was discovered in 1951in the area of Haramosh valley in Gilgit. Theprominent four localities of gem-bearing pegmatitesoccur in the vicinity of the Haramosh peak, Shengusalong Indus river, Haramosh Bulachi village, and thesetting of Khaltoro pasture. Along with glaciers,Hindukush Karakorum and Himalayan ranges host avariety of precious stones (Agheem et al., 2014). Inrecent decade Haramosh valley received moreattention because of the occurrence of a variety ofgems in pegmatite veins. Gemstone varieties related topegmatites are also found in other parts of GilgitBaltistan, like Shigar, Shengus, and Stuk Nala (Kazmiet al., Laurs et al., 1998).Pegmatites are found widelyin Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan within the mountain rangesof Karakoram (Laurs et al. 1998). These macroliticpegmatite’s are mainly associated with leucogranites inHaramosh Massif, which is famous for recent rapiduplift (Laurs et al., 1998; Zeitler 1985). Variouscrystals of topaz, tourmaline, beryl, and quartz arebeing mined from these macrolitic pegmatite’s (Laurset al., 1998). Famous tourmaline crystal (10cm) ofPakistan is found in Stuk Nala of Nanga ParbatHaramosh Massif (Laurs et al., 1998).