I’ve posted a small number of excellent new specimens in this Pakistan-Afghanistan Update (click here). This group includes colourful brucites from Killa Saifullah, a superb matrix diopside from Sar-e Sang, twinned titanite from Alchuri, topaz from Shigar, and one of my favourite zircon specimens from Astor Valley.

Brucite, Killa Saifullah, Balochistan, Pakistan – 7.2 cm

Brucite, Killa Saifullah, Balochistan, Pakistan – 6.1 cm

Brucite, Killa Saifullah, Balochistan, Pakistan – 3.1 cm

Diopside, Ladujar Medam, Sar-e-Sang River, Kokcha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan – 8 cm

Titanite, Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan – Field of view 2 cm

Topaz, Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan – 3.1 cm

Zircon, Astor Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Field of view 2.0 cm