Minerals from Pakistan

Mining currently represents less than 8% of Pakistans GDP, but the potential for growth in the sector is enormous. Pakistan contains considerable mineral resources including chromite, copper, iron, gold, bauxite, salt, and a wide range of gemstones.

The Khewra salt mine is the worlds second largest salt mine.

Pakistan is one of the more notable sources of mineral specimens in South Asia, with a particular focus on pegmatite minerals and gemstones.

The country has large deposits of a wide range of minerals including copper, gold, iron, chromite, and salt. However, for collectors, the most desirable material tends to come from the Northern Areas – particularly the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Skardu and surrounding areas are well known for pegmatites that produce aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, apatite, and a range of feldspars. Quartz is also commonly found, often with good clarity and well-formed crystals.

Pakistan also produces good quality epidote, clinozoisite, axinite, and titanite, with some superb examples available on the specimen market. Some of the anatase crystals found here, especially from the Hunza Valley, are very well formed and highly sought after.

It’s not uncommon to see pieces labelled simply as “Pakistan” without further locality details, which can be frustrating – especially for more serious collectors. It is also common for minerals to be transported across the border from Afghanistan, making it difficult to identify where specimens are from.

There is also a fairly active cutting industry in the region, so some of the better quality gem crystals may end up faceted or carved rather than sold as natural specimens. This is primarily focussed around Peshawar, and this is the area most gem tourism visitors will visit.

We may have other specimens from Pakistan; see the other links below

Pakistan