Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s hidden gemstone powerhouse

Among some of the world’s highest mountain ranges, Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its extraordinary mineral wealth.

Did you know almost 95% of Pakistan’s gemstones are sourced from this northern region, making it the country’s most important hub for gemstone mining. Not only that, but the shaping and polishing also happen in this region.

Among the most famous is Aquamarine, often described as the jewel of Gilgit-Baltistan. Found in areas such as Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, and Shigar, this blue-green gemstone is admired for its icy hues that reflect the region’s glaciers and alpine lakes.

Another standout is the Hunza Ruby. These rubies are valued for their deep red tones and natural formation. The shopkeepers have kept the polished gems for sale, as well as the raw specimens, preserving their natural characteristics and increasing their value.

“Miners go to the mountains themselves, make tunnels, and mine these gemstones. We, then, purchase it from them. We cut and polish them to turn them into gems. If someone wants to buy it in raw form as a specimen, they can get it in that form as well,” a local shopkeeper told Nukta.

Tourmaline from Gilgit-Baltistan can appear in shades of green, pink, blue, and even multicolored varieties, adding to its appeal in global markets.

Topaz, including golden and champagne shades, is mined in valleys such as Roundu and Shigar. In addition to these, Gilgit-Baltistan is home to garnets, fluorite, quartz varieties, zircon, spinel, moonstone, and several other semi-precious stones.

Explaining about the Sapphire, another local shopkeeper told Nukta, “The Blue Sapphire is a precious gemstone. It naturally has inclusions in it, whereas the cubic cut stones have bubbles in them. Sometimes it is clear, but in that case, its price becomes very high.”

Gilgit-Baltistan’s gemstones are more than natural resources; they are geological stories shaped by time, pressure, and the power of the mountains. As global interest in ethically sourced and natural gemstones grows, this region continues to shine as one of Pakistan’s most remarkable — and often overlooked — treasures.