Alpine Minerals from Alchuri

Alchuri is located between Gilgit and Skardu. The minerals and associations found in this area are very similar to those from the Alps.

TIT01 Titanite Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan 29.3x 15.3x 6.3 cm $1750 An exceptionally large plate covered with hundreds of apple green titanite crystals. We've all seen the small opaque floaters, but large specimens with this richness remain quite uncommon. A truly spectacular and very beautiful large cabinet, measuring almost a foot long. Much better in person--the camera has difficulty capturing a specimen of this size in the complete shot.

TIT02 Titanite

Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

7.5x 5.2x 3.8 cm

$325

Pakistani titanite is not unusual, but good matrix specimens are. Most of specimens that usually reach the market are smallish floater twins, covered in chlorite. Here is a very aesthetic matrix specimen, with two green-yellow xtls (NOT covered in chlorite) to 2.9 cm in length. If you want a good titanite, here it is.

TIT03 Titanite

Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

7.6x 3.3x 1.2 cm

$200

Here is a very large, twinned titanite crystal from northern Pakistan. Very few crystals reach this size, most that you find on the market are in the 3-4 cm range. The crystal is perched on a small scrap of matrix. Almost identical, if not better than, the specimen pictured in the ExtraLapis Pakistan edition.

SAG1 Rutile var. Sagenite

Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

6.4x 3.5x 2.6 cm

$275

Here is a specimen from a new find of rutile var. sagenite. Sagenite differs from "regular" rutile in that it consists of a network of many crystals intersecting at approximately 55 and 65 degrees. As far as rutile goes, these are quite rare--and the color is exceptional. The pieces posted here represent top examples from a rather limited find.

SAG2 Rutile var. Sagenite

Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

9.1x 6.0x 4.7 cm

$265

Here is a specimen from a new find of rutile var. sagenite. Sagenite differs from "regular" rutile in that it consists of a network of many crystals intersecting at approximately 55 and 65 degrees and arranged on a single plain. As far as rutile goes, these are quite rare--and the color is exceptional. The pieces posted here represent top examples from a rather limited find.

SAG3 Rutile var. Sagenite, Adularia, Schorl

Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

10.0x 6.0x 3.8 cm

$225

Here is a specimen from a new find of rutile var. sagenite. Sagenite differs from "regular" rutile in that it consists of a network of many crystals intersecting at approximately 55 and 65 degrees on a single plain. As far as rutile goes, these are quite rare--and the color is exceptional. The pieces posted here represent top examples from a rather limited find.

MRUT1 Rutile

Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

3.7x 3.5x 2.7 cm

$165

A large, and rare Pakistani rutile specimen, ON MATRIX! The crystal shows exceptional color. I've seen several smaller single crystals from this area, but this is certainly one of the nicest that I have seen.

HEMP1 Hematite Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan 5.5x 4.8x 3.2 cm $85 An "iron rose" from Pakistan. Most of those currently on the market are Chinese, but here is a slightly rarer Pakistani specimen.

HEMP1 Hematite Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan 3.8x 2.0x 1.7 cm $35 An "iron rose" from Pakistan. Most of those currently on the market are Chinese, but here is a slightly rarer Pakistani specimen.

HEMP1 Hematite Alchuri, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan 3.0x 2.3x 1.8 cm $35 An "iron rose" from Pakistan. Most of those currently on the market are Chinese, but here is a slightly rarer Pakistani specimen.