Description
This topaz crystal is from the Skardu District, Gilgit, Gilgit Baltistan (Northern Areas), Pakistan. Local miners dig in the granitic pegmatites in the area looking for crystal filled pockets. There are several gem varieties of minerals found in them including topaz. It is a silicate and it contains the elements Al, Si, O, F, and H. It can be found in a variety of colors which are created by different trace impurities in the crystal lattice. This is a colorless transparent (eye clean) crystal with a well defined orthorhombic habit and a glass luster. There are some minor iron oxides on the surface of the crystal which can be removed if desired. It measures 3/4 x 5/8 x 1/2 inches or 19 x 16 x 12 mm.
