By Faiza Tehseen

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (INP-WealthPK): Alexandrite is strongly expected to be found in Skardu, although it is never reported to be mined in Pakistan, said gemmologist and miner Zakir Ullah alias Jhulay Lal in a discussion with WealthPK.

According to Zakir, Chrysoberyl (Alexandrite is a part of this family) is mined in Skardu (Roundu Valley, Haramosh valley, Shigar, Shengus), and Laila Peak in the central Karakoram range, etc. Roundu is leading and Haramosh afterward is a famous place for finding the rarest gem specimen in Pakistan.

“In Skardu, a variety of colour-changing stones is found, and I am sure that deep but careful mining can lead to the discovery of Alexandrite. I am dead sure to mine Alexandrite in Pakistan if I get the proper gear officially.

Special attention at the official level is badly needed to unearth the gem treasures in Pakistan. If the government takes a special interest in the careful mining of gemstones, Pakistan does not need to ask for foreign loans,” he added.

Talking to WealthPK, Principal Geologist in the Global Mining Company and former general manager geology in the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) Muhammad Yaqub Shah said, “I fully agree with Zakir. Both chances and potential of Alexandrite’s presence exist. Emerald is abundantly found in Pakistan. The environment required for the existence of emerald is the same for Alexandrite. Every mineral, including gems and metallic minerals, needs a specific environment to form. If the same environment is found at the surface, then its formation chances exist.”

Amazingly, the geological environment in the area of Gilgit-Baltistan is suited to the formation of almost every mineral. It is a great sign of nature’s generosity to Pakistan. All beryllium verities (i.e., Aqua Marine, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, etc) are mostly found and mined in Pakistan except Alexandrite. Nothing is ever reported about its discovery in the country, but chances exist that it can be found.

Muhammad Yaqub Shah, Principal Geologist in Global Mining Company, and former General Manager Geology in Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) also agreed that there was a dire need for official coordination with the private sector.

“It will be of great help to mine the gems of all qualities. Regional centres must be developed in all nearby mining areas having all facilities concerning this segment under one roof. Unfortunately, the private sector is not working to its full potential. Absence of proper training, unavailability of the latest equipment, and less coordination at the official level are badly affecting this sector. If the private sector is supported concerning availability of equipment, small finances, free basic and extensive training, I am sure that it will work wonders”.

Alexandrite, a rare gem, is highly valued and can fetch more than USD100,000 per Carat. It exhibits a change of colour depending upon the source of light. It seems grass green in sunlight and raspberry red in incandescent light. The common saying about Alexandrite is “It is emerald in the day and ruby by the night.”

It was first found in Russia and was named after the Russian Tsar Alexander II. Alexandrite is a variety of mineral chrysoberyl formed within metamorphic rocks containing beryllium. Its hue is yellowish green, pale green, or yellow and can be transparent to translucent. When chromium substitutes for aluminium, then the Chrysoberyl variety is called Alexandrite.

A suitable environment for its formation is available in Pakistan. Unfortunately, lack of proper and sophisticated gem mining equipment is depriving the country of its potential benefits. Official attention towards this segment will not only help shore up the state wallets, but also improve the country’s economic conditions.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk