Lexi Webster
Australia has become a major player in the sapphire mining industry, producing more commercial-grade blue sapphires than anywhere else in the world. The country's sapphire mines are concentrated in the eastern states of Queensland and New South Wales, with Queensland's Gemfields region being one of the world's most significant sapphire-bearing regions. The unique composition of Australian sapphires, which are often parti-coloured, containing a mix of green, blue, and yellow, makes them highly valuable and sought-after by global jewellery brands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sapphire production | Australia accounts for over 70% of global blue sapphire production. |
| Sapphire discovery | The first instance of discovering sapphires in Australia was reported in 1851 during gold mining on the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales. |
| Major sources | The basaltic, volcanic rocks located in the eastern part of the country. |
| Sapphire-bearing regions | Queensland's Gemfields, the New England district of New South Wales, the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales, and Anakie in Queensland. |
| Famous sapphires | The Black Star of Queensland, the world's largest black sapphire, discovered in the 1930s or 1940s; the Stonebridge Green, a 202-carat yellow sapphire discovered in 1938. |
| Sapphire characteristics | Sapphires are natural minerals that form deep within the Earth's surface due to shifts in heat and pressure. They are often found in soil and stone deposits that contain unwanted materials and require further cleaning and separation. |
| Sapphire treatment | Australian sapphires are often heat-treated to lighten and improve their color and make them more transparent. |
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What You'll Learn
Queensland's Gemfields
The history of sapphire mining in the Gemfields dates back to the late 1800s when Russian miners worked in the area. The first instance of discovering sapphires in Australia was reported in 1851 during gold mining on the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales. However, the Gemfields became a significant source of sapphires, with the mines producing more commercial-grade blue sapphires than any other source in history.
The typical Australian sapphire is dark blue with a strong green dichroism and colour zoning. Many Australian sapphires undergo heat treatment to lighten and enhance their colour and make them more transparent. The Gemfields offer a unique experience for visitors interested in sapphire mining. The Sapphire Gemfields Interpretive Trail starts from Sapphire Reflections, a 12-metre-tall artwork at the Anakie Crossroads. The trail takes visitors through the Gemfields, stopping at interpretive panels and place markers.
Additionally, fossicking parks are a popular attraction in the Gemfields, offering an accessible way to try sapphire hunting. Visitors can buy a bag of wash and start searching for sapphires and zircons, with staff providing guidance on sieving and sorting. Tag-Along Fossicking Tours allow visitors to join an experienced miner, who teaches them how to dig, sieve, wash, and inspect their findings. Specking, the art of scanning the ground for surface sapphires, is also practised in the Gemfields.
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New England district, New South Wales
The New England district in New South Wales is a geographical region in the north of the state, about 60km (37 miles) inland from the Tasman Sea. The area includes the Northern Tablelands and the North West Slopes regions. The New England district is known for its sapphire deposits, which are located around the towns of Inverell and Glen Innes. The New England gem field is renowned for producing Australia's finest blue sapphires.
The New England Tableland, or Plateau, is a highland area forming part of the Great Dividing Range. It is about 320km (200 miles) long and 130km (81 miles) wide, with substantial areas more than 900 metres (3,000 feet) above sea level. The region has a distinctive cold climate and unique vegetation. The highest point is Round Mountain, which rises to 1,585 metres (5,200 feet) above sea level. Other notable peaks include Ben Lomond, Mount Grundy, Mount Hyland, and Mount Duval, all exceeding 1,400 metres (4,500 feet).
The New England district has a rich history, with Indigenous Australians inhabiting the region for tens of thousands of years. The original languages, now extinct, included Anaiwan in the south of Guyra and Ngarbal in the north. The population of the tablelands was estimated to be 1,100 to 1,200 at the time of colonisation, but conflict, disease, and environmental damage reduced this number to 400 by the 1890s.
In terms of sapphire mining, the New England region is significant, with the largest and most economic sapphire deposits in New South Wales. Commercial mining of sapphires in the region began in 1919 when CL Smith worked on a rich area on Frazer's Creek near Inverell. This sparked further mining in the sapphire-bearing areas of Glen Innes and Inverell, lasting for about ten years until the Great Depression. Large-scale commercial mining resumed in 1959 due to increased rough sapphire prices caused by a shortage from traditional sources in Southeast Asia.
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Anakie, Queensland
Australia has established itself in the modern sapphire mining world as a mass producer of beautiful stones. The mines of Australia have produced more commercial-grade blue sapphire than any other source in history. One of the two main sapphire deposit areas in the country is the gem fields at Anakie in Queensland.
Anakie is a rural town, located 280 km west of Rockhampton and 40 km west of Emerald. It is the main town in the Anakie Gemfields, an arc of mining country west of Emerald that includes Willows and Rubyvale. The town was first established in the early 1870s when sapphires were discovered at Retreat Creek, a watercourse between Sapphire and Emerald that flows into the Nogoa River. Mining at Retreat Creek began in about 1890 and a population centre developed. Basic amenities were established, including a school, a hotel, a first aid station, a hall, a cemetery, and a racecourse. However, during the 1920s, the population fell significantly, and recovery did not occur until the 1960s and 1970s when casual fossickers and tourist fossickers brought about a resurgence of mining.
Anakie, positioned at the Sapphire Gemfields 'crossroads' along the Capricorn Highway, is the oldest town on the Sapphire Gemfields. It hosts Australia's largest sapphire exhibition, the 'Gemfest - Festival of Gems', over four days each August. The town has a rich history, featuring a quaint railway station built in 1884 as part of the rail push into western Queensland. Behind the station stands a 130-year-old bottle tree, engraved with the initials of soldiers who were on their way to war. Another notable site in Anakie is the historic Anakie Hotel, which partially had to be rebuilt in 1971 after a disgruntled patron blew out the front section with gelignite.
Queensland sapphires are typically dark blue in colour with a strong green dichroism and colour zoning. Many Australian sapphires undergo heat treatment to lighten and improve their colour and make them more transparent. As of 2020, Australian sapphires account for over 70% of the world's blue sapphire production, and their demand is only increasing.
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Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers, New South Wales
The Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales are known for their sapphire deposits, which are found in the surrounding riverbeds and alluvial plains. The area has been a popular destination for sapphire mining and prospecting since the late 19th century, and today, it continues to attract fossickers and gem enthusiasts from around the world.
The sapphires found in this region are known for their vibrant colours and high-quality crystals. They occur in a range of colours, including blue, yellow, green, and pink, with the blue and yellow varieties being the most common. The sapphires are often found in their raw, natural state, and when cut and polished, they can reveal stunning clarity and brilliance.
The Cudgegong River, a tributary of the Macquarie River, is particularly renowned for its sapphire deposits. The river flows through the heart of sapphire country, with many of the most productive mines and fossicking areas located along its banks. The area around the town of Gulgong, in particular, has been a hotspot for sapphire mining, with numerous claims and dig sites scattered throughout the region.
The Macquarie River, a major waterway in New South Wales, also yields sapphires along its course. Its path through the state's central west region, including the area around Dubbo, has revealed sapphire-bearing deposits. While less concentrated than those in the Cudgegong River, the Macquarie River still holds potential for sapphire seekers.
The presence of sapphires in these rivers stems from the region's unique geological history. Over time, weathering and erosion have freed the sapphires from their host rocks, allowing the rivers to transport and deposit them. Ancient riverbeds, alluvial fans, and sedimentary deposits are where these gems are often found, concentrated by the water's movement.
Today, the areas surrounding the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers continue to lure those fascinated by the prospect of discovering sapphires. With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and the promise of potential gem finds, this region remains integral to Australia's sapphire industry and a draw for enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
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Sapphire mining process
Sapphire mining in Australia has evolved to be more decentralised and localised, with a focus on small businesses. However, larger players still have a presence and use heavy machinery, especially for new mines. The unique aspect of sapphire mining in Australia is the customised and ad-hoc nature of the machines used, which varies according to the geography and scale of the mining process.
The sapphire mining process in Australia typically involves the following steps:
- Locating the Deposits: Sapphire deposits in Australia are mainly found in two areas: the gem fields at Anakie in Queensland and the New England district of New South Wales. Within these areas, sapphires are often discovered alongside gold, embedded in basaltic, volcanic rocks.
- Extracting the Sapphires: The extraction process can be challenging and expensive due to the hardness of the volcanic rock. It requires significant energy and investment to extract these small gemstones.
- Washing and Separation: Once extracted, sapphires are typically subjected to a washing and separation process. This involves removing various contaminants, such as mud, clay, and other impurities, that are bound closely with the gemstones. The exact mechanism of the wash plant process can vary depending on the specific requirements and geography of the mining site.
- Treatment and Cutting: Many Australian sapphires undergo heat treatment with beryllium to lighten and enhance their colour, making them more transparent and aesthetically appealing. The crystals are usually cut quite shallow to further enhance their appearance.
- Distribution and Sales: Australian sapphires are highly sought-after globally, accounting for over 70% of the world's blue sapphire production. They are used by major jewellery brands to meet their commercial needs.
It is worth noting that the resurgence of sapphire mining in Australia is partly due to the 2004 resolution of the Native Title Agreement, which facilitates direct negotiations between indigenous landowners and miners, addressing employment, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation.
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Frequently asked questions
Sapphire deposits in Australia are concentrated in the eastern part of the country, specifically in Queensland and New South Wales.
The Black Star of Queensland is one of the most famous Australian sapphires. It is the largest black sapphire ever found, weighing 733 carats and is estimated to be worth $100 million. Another famous Australian sapphire is the Stonebridge Green, which weighs 202 carats.
Australian sapphires are typically dark blue in color with a strong green dichroism and color zoning. They are also known for being parti-colored, containing a mix of green, blue, and yellow, making them highly valuable.
The first discovery of sapphires in Australia was reported in 1851 during gold mining on the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales. Sapphire production in Queensland declined after the late 1970s with the development of new sources in Thailand and Madagascar. However, there has been a renewed interest in mining in Australia due to the 2004 resolution of the Native Title Agreement, which allows for direct negotiations between indigenous landowners and miners.
Sapphires are formed deep within the Earth's surface as a result of shifts in heat and pressure. They are often found in deposits of alluvium, which is sediment that has been eroded by water, and in volcanic rocks.
