Lexi Webster
Amethyst can be found in several locations in Australia. The Great Australian Amethyst Mine in Western Australia is one such place, where amethyst has been mined since the early 1900s. Amethyst can also be found in the Victoria-Daly Region, Central Desert Region, Queensland, and Tasmania. In the Central Desert Region, the Harts Range is a designated fossicking area where garnet lovers may find large, well-shaped garnets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | The Great Australian Amethyst Mine, Wyloo Station, Ashburton Shire, Western Australia |
| Amethyst Deposit | Occurs in a quartz vein that cuts the lower Proterozoic Duck Creek Dolomite |
| Quality | Varies, with some stones of inferior quality and others of gem quality |
| Discovery | Originally discovered by prospectors looking for gold in the early 1900s |
| Mining History | Amethyst specimens were mined by Peter Blithe in 1966, and 18,800 kg of amethyst was mined by the Soklich family from 1967-1978 |
| Notable Finds | A 4kg amethyst crystal was discovered by Kirsty McMullen and her partner Pat in a WA mine site |
| Other Locations | Amethyst Camfield station (Northern Territory), Harts Range (Northern Territory), Kuridala (Queensland), Mt. Heemskirk mineral field (Tasmania) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Great Australian Amethyst Mine, Wyloo Station, Western Australia
- Amethyst Camfield station, Top Springs, Victoria-Daly Region, Northern Territory
- Harts Range, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory
- Amethyst Kuridala, Cloncurry Shire, Queensland
- Amethyst Mt Heemskirk mineral field, West Coast, Tasmania
The Great Australian Amethyst Mine, Wyloo Station, Western Australia
The Great Australian Amethyst Mine is located in Wyloo Station, Ashburton Shire, Western Australia. Amethyst specimens were first mined here in 1966 by Peter Blithe. The amethyst occurs in a quartz vein that cuts the lower Proterozoic Duck Creek Dolomite. While most of the stone is said to be of inferior quality, fine specimens from the location have been sold over the years. The dolomite is a thin to thickly bedded unit, locally stromatolitic with minor chert and mudstone horizons.
Amethyst at the surface is sun-bleached, but the quality increases with depth. Some crystals are doubly terminated, and gem quality can be found near the crystal terminations. Reports from the late 1960s state that single crystals had diameters of 12-15cm, without twinning and fractures, and there was an abundance of single and doubly terminated clusters. Most specimens are labelled 'Wyloo', for the nearby station homestead.
The mine is located 8 kilometres south of Mt De Courcy, a prominent mesa south of the Nanutarra-Wittenoom Road, and ninety kilometres east of the Nanutarra Roadhouse. The site was originally discovered by prospectors looking for gold in the early 1900s. A parcel was sent by camel to Onslow in 1906 and then to J. Cohen and Co in England for assessment. However, they were not impressed, stating that the specimens were without any commercial value.
In recent years, requests to visit the site by local collectors have been refused by the station and the separate leaseholders. For those interested in finding amethyst in Australia, another location to consider is the Harts Range in the Central Desert Region of the Northern Territory.
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Amethyst Camfield station, Top Springs, Victoria-Daly Region, Northern Territory
Amethyst can be found at Amethyst Camfield Station, Top Springs, in the Victoria-Daly Region of the Northern Territory in Australia. Camfield Station is a pastoral lease that operates as a cattle station. It is situated about 80km southwest of Top Springs, 177 kilometres (110 mi) southeast of Timber Creek, and 237 kilometres (147 mi) west of Daly Waters.
Cambrian basalts in the area contain high-quality amethyst, smoky quartz, and other minerals, reported to be in the Wyalong range, but their exact location is unknown. Amethyst can also be found at The Great Australian Amethyst Mine in Wyloo Station, Ashburton Shire, Western Australia. This mine is located about 90 kilometres east of the Nanutarra Roadhouse, and amethyst specimens were first mined there in 1966.
In addition to the above locations, amethyst can also be found in the Harts Range in the Central Desert Region of the Northern Territory, Kuridala in Cloncurry Shire, Queensland, and Mt Heemskirk mineral field in the Zeehan mining district of Tasmania.
It is important to note that amethyst is a protected stone in Australia, and collecting it without a permit is illegal. Always ensure that you have permission from the relevant authorities and landholders before attempting to collect any minerals.
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Harts Range, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory
Harts Range, located in the Central Desert Region of the Northern Territory, is a well-known area for finding amethyst in Australia. It is situated about 190 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs via dirt road, with the most accessible areas being along the northern limits of the ranges.
Within Harts Range, Entia Valley at Ambalindum Station is a notable location for amethyst. This valley is characterised by high-grade metamorphic Precambrian rocks, and you can find amethyst specimens there. Additionally, the southern part of Entia Valley leads to Harding Springs, another site where amethyst can be discovered. Harding Springs is located on a cattle station, so it's important to seek permission before accessing the area.
The Little Sister Mine (also known as the Little Sister Mica Mine) and the Leprechaun Mica Mine, both situated at Harding Springs, Ambalindum Station, are specific sites within the Harts Range area where amethyst can be found. These mines are known for their mineral-rich deposits.
The Great Australian Amethyst Mine, located at Wyloo Station in Western Australia, is another significant site for amethyst in Australia. This mine is about 90 kilometres east of the Nanutarra Roadhouse, and it has yielded notable quantities of amethyst over the years, with the best-quality amethyst found deeper within the mine.
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Amethyst Kuridala, Cloncurry Shire, Queensland
Amethyst can be found in several locations across Australia, including Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. One notable location for finding amethyst in Queensland is Kuridala, Cloncurry Shire.
Kuridala is a small former mining village located about 30 km north of the Mount Elliott mine in Queensland's Cloncurry Shire. The village was first known as Hampden when the mines were discovered in the 1880s, but its name was later changed to Friezland. Kuridala is known for its amethyst deposits, which are located in the Kuridala amethyst fields.
The amethyst deposits in Kuridala are described as having clear to dark purple blocky-style amethyst crystals on a quartz matrix. The crystals are often double-terminated, and the workings are done through shallow pits in brown clay and cobblestone-like overburden. Collectors have found specimens of amethyst in this region that are of average quality, with a purple colour and a bluish tinge. Some specimens are also described as having a lilac colour with a smoky phantom inside and some rutile and hematite crystals.
It is important to note that before visiting any of these sites, one should ensure they have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders and are aware of all necessary safety precautions.
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Amethyst Mt Heemskirk mineral field, West Coast, Tasmania
Amethyst can be found at the Mt Heemskirk mineral field in the Zeehan mining district of Tasmania, Australia. The site is located in a mineralised granite area some 20-40km west of Zeehan. Miarolitic cavities in the granite can contain attractive specimens of quartz, including amethyst. The amethyst specimens found at this site are described as "attractive".
The Mt Heemskirk mineral field is also home to the Heemskirk Tin Project, owned by Stellar Resources Ltd. This project involves the development of an underground mine, processing plant, and tailings storage facility to mine ore from the Queen Hill, Severn, and Montana tin deposits in the region.
In addition to Mt Heemskirk, amethyst has been found at other sites in Australia, including the Great Australian Amethyst Mine in Western Australia. This site is located on Wyloo Station in the Ashburton Shire and has yielded significant discoveries, including a 22.5-tonne amethyst cluster valued at around $1 million. Amethyst has also been found in the Camfield Station in the Northern Territory and the Pilbara region in Western Australia.
The process of discovering and transporting amethyst can be challenging and requires custom equipment and careful handling. Amethyst is a purple quartz crystal and is considered a natural wonder in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Amethyst can be found at The Great Australian Amethyst Mine, Wyloo Station, Ashburton Shire, Western Australia.
Amethyst can also be found in the Victoria-Daly Region, Northern Territory, Australia.
Yes, amethyst can be found in the Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australia.
Amethyst Kuridala is located in Cloncurry Shire, Queensland, Australia.
Amethyst can also be found in the Mt Heemskirk mineral field, Zeehan mining district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia.
