Zircon

Zircons are among the oldest minerals, making them particularly fascinating. These specimens from Pakistan began to appear in the mineral circuit in the early 2000s. This particular zircon has a bit of bruising but remains a very gemmy specimen, featuring a sharp, tetragonal crystal with a deep translucent cognac coloration. It comes from a village and river valley east of Nanga Parbat, in the region formerly known as the Northern Areas, now administered by Pakistan as the autonomous territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. This region, the northernmost territory administered by Pakistan, has been contested between India and Pakistan since 1947, and between India and China somewhat later. Gilgit-Baltistan is divided into three divisions—Baltistan, Astore, and Gilgit—which are further subdivided into fourteen districts. The principal administrative centers are the towns of Gilgit and Skardu, making this one of the most productive areas for mineral specimens in the world.