Lyla Lindsey
Australia has become a mass producer of sapphires, with more commercial-grade blue sapphires originating from the country than anywhere else. The mines of Australia have produced a plethora of sapphires, which have made their way into the jewellery market globally. The vibrant and diverse landscape of Australia lends itself to the unique nature of sapphires found in the country. The first sapphires in Australia were discovered during gold mining in 1851, and since then, mining for sapphires has become a popular tradition and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First discovered | 1851, during gold mining on the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales |
| Major discoveries | 1854 and 1875 |
| Commercial mining began | 1919 |
| Deposits located | Gem fields at Anakie in Queensland, and the New England district of New South Wales |
| Other sites | Inverell, Glen Innes, Oberon, Rubyvale, Sapphire, the Willows, Glenalva, Tasmania |
| Appearance | Hues of deep blue, vibrant pink, green, yellow, orange, purple, or black |
| Composition | Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) |
| Hardness | One of the hardest natural substances, second only to diamond |
| Formation | Volcanic processes involving tremendous heat and pressure melting corundum in igneous or metamorphic rocks |
| Colouring agents | Trace elements or impurities, e.g. titanium and iron for blue sapphires, chromium for pink sapphires |
| Star sapphires | Crystals containing inclusions of crystal needles producing a six or twelve-pointed star reflection |
| Weight | Heavy |
| Scratch resistance | High |
| Best time to hunt | After heavy rain, as it washes sapphires down creeks, making them easier to find |
| Tools | Shovel, pick, sieve, bucket, mud map |
| Tips | Keep your eyes on the ground, look for classic deep blue stones but remember sapphires come in various colours |
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What You'll Learn
Where to find sapphires in Australia
Australia is a leading producer of sapphires, with more commercial-grade sapphires found there than anywhere else in the world. The first Australian sapphires were reportedly discovered in New South Wales in the late 19th century by gold miners working on the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers. Since then, the gems have been found in all eastern Australian states, including Tasmania.
If you're hoping to find sapphires in Australia, you'll need to head to one of the designated fossicking fields in these eastern states. The Gemfields in Central Queensland are a popular destination, with sapphire fossicking sites in Sapphire, Rubyvale, Anakie, the Willows, and Glenalva. You can also try your luck in the New England district of New South Wales, particularly around Inverell and Glen Innes, and north-west of Goulburn, near Oberon. The Kings Plains area, near Inverell, is said to have some of the richest deposits of gem-quality sapphires ever mined.
If you're a beginner, it's recommended that you join a guided fossicking tour, where you'll be provided with the basic hand tools you'll need, such as a shovel, pick, sieve, and bucket. You'll also be taken to the most productive locations and given an educational experience, learning about the history and origin of sapphires. Keep in mind that there are laws and restrictions around fossicking, so make sure you have all the necessary permits and research the local state rules before you go.
When you're out in the field, keep your eyes on the ground and look out for classic deep blue stones, but remember that sapphires come in a range of colours, including pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, and black. Rough gems can appear brown due to mud or weathering, so take a closer look even if they're not sparkling. Hunting after heavy rain can increase your chances of finding sapphires, as they get washed down creeks and can be found around washed-out tree roots.
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How to identify rough sapphires
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, which is composed of aluminium oxide. They are prized finds, often exhibiting a range of hues from deep blues to vibrant pinks. While polished sapphires gleam with brilliance, their rough counterparts hold a unique charm. Here are some ways to identify rough sapphires:
Colour Clues
The classic deep blue is a telltale sign, but sapphires come in a rainbow of hues, from delicate pinks and yellows to vibrant greens. In their rough state, they might appear muted or even brown due to a weathered exterior. Look closely for flashes of colour glinting beneath the surface. Blue sapphires contain titanium and iron, while chromium gives them a pink colour.
Shape
Rough sapphires exhibit irregular shapes, reflecting their natural formations and crystalline structures. They often resemble uncut crystals or rocky fragments. Each rough sapphire's distinct shape contributes to its individuality and natural allure.
Texture
The texture of rough sapphires varies, ranging from smooth to rough, depending on the conditions during their formation. Some rough sapphires may display natural surface inclusions or rugged edges.
Crystal Structure
Examine the rough sapphire for its crystal structure. Genuine rough sapphires have clear and distinct crystal shapes, like hexagonal prisms or flat shapes.
Visual Examination
Look for any distinct features like colour zoning, which refers to variations in colour within the stone. Genuine rough sapphires may display colour zoning due to the uneven distribution of trace elements during their formation.
Hardness and Scratch Test
Use a hardness testing tool, such as a mineral hardness kit like the Mohs hardness scale, to determine the stone's hardness.
Tools
You can use tools like a jeweller's loupe or a microscope to closely examine the internal features of the stone, such as inclusions and colour zoning patterns. A refractometer can also be used to measure the refractive index of the gemstone and confirm its authenticity.
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Tools needed to find sapphires
The tools you will need to find sapphires in Australia depend on the type of mining you are planning to do. If you are visiting a designated fossicking area, you will need some simple hand tools and perhaps a mud map of the area. If you are planning to dig shafts, you will need large machinery.
Tools for sapphire fossicking
Fossicking is a popular hobby in Australia, and there are designated public fossicking areas in the eastern states and Tasmania. To find sapphires through fossicking, you will need simple hand tools such as a shovel, pick and sieve, and perhaps a bucket. It is also recommended to bring a mud map of the fossicking area and to research the local state rules before you begin.
Tools for sapphire mining
Mining sapphires requires more heavy-duty equipment. In the past, shafts were dug to a depth of 15 metres using a truck-based drilling rig. Then jackhammers and hand tools were used to dig into the wall, following the ancient river bed. Nowadays, some miners use small ride-on diggers, which they disassemble above ground and reassemble underground to increase the volume of rock they can remove. Bulldozers are also used to dig down and follow the path of the sapphire-bearing layer.
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The history of sapphire mining in Australia
Sapphire mining in Australia was once dominated by small-scale miners. However, the introduction of mining machinery made the opportunity to mine these gemstones more appealing to larger players, threatening to push the smaller players out. In response, the Australian government stepped in and imposed controls over the areas that could be mined using heavy machinery, encouraging the work of smaller Australian miners.
Foreign entrepreneurs, particularly those from Russia and Germany, played a significant role in the early sapphire mining and trading activity in Australia. They used their links to Europe to sell sapphires mined from Australia, driving the popularity of Australian sapphires in European markets. However, following World War I and the Russian Revolution, these links to Europe broke down, leading to a decline in the Australian sapphire market that extended well into the 1960s.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Australia was a dominant force in sapphire mining, with Queensland being a significant source of boulder opal. However, after the late 1970s, sapphire production in Queensland declined as new sources were developed in countries like Thailand and Madagascar. Despite this, Australia has continued to make enormous contributions to the global sapphire industry, particularly in the trade of blue sapphires. Australian sapphires are known for their dark blue colour, with some stones exhibiting a strong green dichroism and colour zoning. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in sapphire mining in Australia, with the country once again becoming a player in the gemstone mining game, albeit with a more decentralized and localized small business orientation.
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The best times to go sapphire hunting
Australia has become a mass producer of sapphires, with more commercial-grade blue sapphires coming from the country than anywhere else. The best places to go sapphire hunting in Australia are the gem fields at Anakie in Queensland and the New England district of New South Wales.
If you are looking for a more comfortable experience, consider joining a guided tour. These tours will take you to the historically most productive locations and provide you with the basic hand tools needed to get started. You will also learn about the history and origin of sapphires while trying to spot them glistening in the walls of underground mines.
If you are an experienced fossicker, you can try your luck in waterways, creeks, and rivers. You will need to wash gravel and look for puddles of water. Keep in mind that you will likely find smaller sapphires in these areas, and the water flow may be intermittent.
It is important to note that there are laws and restrictions around fossicking in Australia, so be sure to research the local state rules and obtain any necessary permits before heading out on your sapphire hunting adventure.
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Frequently asked questions
Sapphires can be found in the eastern states of Australia, including Tasmania. The gem fields at Anakie in Queensland and the New England district of New South Wales are the two main areas.
You will need some basic hand tools like a shovel, pick, sieve and bucket. You can also get a 'mud map' of the fossicking area. Beginners should join a guided tour to learn about the history and origin of sapphires and to visit the most productive locations.
Sapphires are typically blue, but they can also be green, yellow, orange, pink, purple or black. Keep your eyes on the ground and look out for flashes of colour. Rough gems can appear brown due to mud or weathering, so take a closer look even if the stone isn't sparkling.
Go hunting after heavy rain! Rain washes sapphires down creeks and they may be found nestled around washed-out tree roots.
The Australia Museum in Sydney has an extensive collection of gems and minerals.
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