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Australia is a treasure trove of gems and crystals, with a diverse landscape and geology that makes it one of the best places in the world to find these precious stones. With its long geological history, Australia has some of the world's oldest rocks and minerals, and is the biggest producer of diamonds and opals. The country is also a major supplier of sapphires, rubies, emeralds, garnets, topaz, and jade. The diverse landscape of Australia lends itself to the formation of unique sapphires, which were first discovered in the late 19th century in New South Wales. The activity of sapphire fossicking has since become a tradition and a fun pastime for locals and tourists alike. In this article, we will explore some of the top spots to find crystals and gems in Australia, and provide tips for those looking to try their hand at fossicking.
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What You'll Learn
Coober Pedy, SA: The opal capital of the world
Coober Pedy, located in South Australia, is known as the opal capital of the world. The town is situated about 750km north-west of Adelaide and is renowned for its abundant opal mines. The name "Coober Pedy" is derived from the Kokatha-Barngarla term "kupa-piti", which translates to "whitefellas' hole". However, in 1975, the local Aboriginal community adopted the name "Umoona", which means "long life" and is also the name they use for the mulga tree, native to the region.
Coober Pedy has a long history of opal mining, with oral traditions indicating that Aboriginal people were aware of the presence of opals but did not value them as highly as food. The first opal discovery in the area was made by a gold prospector in 1915. Following World War I, the opal mines in Coober Pedy employed returning soldiers, and after World War II, refugees, veterans, and immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe also found work in the mines. The small-scale and informal nature of the industry reportedly attracted Aboriginal workers, offering them a degree of workplace autonomy.
Coober Pedy is unique not only for its opal wealth but also for its distinctive below-ground dwellings known as "dugouts". These underground homes were constructed to provide relief from the intense daytime heat of the desert region. The town's landscape is characterised by sandstone and siltstone beds, with sparse plant life due to low rainfall, high water costs, and a lack of topsoil.
Visitors to Coober Pedy can try their hand at opal fossicking or "noodling," sifting through opal mine tailings in designated areas. The Jewell Box, for instance, is a popular site for visitors to search for small opals or colourful potch. The Old Timers Mine is another recommended attraction, along with the Big Winch, an 8-metre-high structure offering panoramic views of the town.
Coober Pedy's opal mining industry has evolved over the years, with the introduction of mechanised mining in the 1970s making shaft digging, tunnelling, and tailings removal faster and safer. Today, the town supplies most of the world's gem-quality opals, with over 70 opal fields. The opals found in Coober Pedy are typically grey, white potch, or common opals, which are less valuable due to their lack of opalescence.
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Glen Innes, NSW: One of the world's richest mineral diversity belts
Glen Innes, located in the hills of the Great Dividing Range on the northern border of New South Wales, is part of one of the world's richest mineral diversity belts. The region is renowned for its sapphire fields, yielding deep, rich, royal blue sapphires that have made the area internationally famous.
Fossicking, or gem hunting, is a popular activity in Glen Innes, and no license is required to get started in New South Wales. The Minerama Fossicking, Gem & Jewellery Show is held annually in Glen Innes, attracting visitors and dealers from across Australia. The show features a diverse range of stalls trading gemstones, jewellery, crystals, fossils, and mineral specimens, as well as gem-cutting and beading displays.
For beginners, the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre provides advice and information on fossicking sites in the area. The Torrington State Recreation Area is a popular fossicking location, but a permit is required to search for gems in this region. The Emmaville Mining Museum, located near another fossicking site in Emmaville, houses incredible gem and mineral collections, as well as a replica blacksmith's shop, an old wood-fired bakery, and a machinery shed filled with old mining equipment.
Glen Innes is a treasure trove for gemstone enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of gems and minerals, including sapphires, quartz, zircon, gold, and diamond. The region's rich mining history and prolific sapphire fields make it a popular destination for those seeking to uncover glittering rewards.
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Newry Station, NT: One of two places on Earth with zebra rock
Australia is a treasure trove of gemstones and crystals. The country's diverse geology makes it one of the best places to find a variety of precious stones, gold, and other minerals.
One of the most unique places to find crystals in Australia is Newry Station in the Northern Territory. Newry Station is a 2,500-square-kilometre (965 sq mi) pastoral lease in the Northern Territory, operated as a cattle station by the Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC). It is located about 750 kilometres southwest of Darwin, near the Territory's border with Western Australia.
Newry Station is famous for being one of only two places on Earth where zebra rock, also known as Kimberley siltstone, has been found. This distinctive reddish-brown and white-banded sedimentary rock is composed of small particles of quartz and sericite (fine-grained white mica). It also contains the minerals kaolinite, dickite, and alunite. The colour banding is likely formed by the rhythmic precipitation of iron oxide (hematite) during the alteration of the rock.
The Newry fossicking area is a popular destination for those interested in finding zebra rock. However, it is important to note that as of late 2019, the NT Government has closed the site to tourism, and mineral collecting and fossicking are strictly prohibited. Consent and prior notification are required to camp and fossick within the area.
In addition to its unique zebra rock, Newry Station also offers a variety of other minerals and gemstones. The area is known for its rich deposits of turquoise, and it is also one of the most prolific opal-mining regions in Australia, along with Coober Pedy in South Australia.
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Harts Range, NT: Find garnets and zircon
Harts Range in the Northern Territory is a great place to find garnets and zircons. Located about 190 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs, the area is known for its rich deposits of garnets and zircons. It is one of the premier garnet locations in the country and offers a vast variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones.
The Harts Range is a huge range that protrudes out of seemingly nowhere and offers gem hunters an abundance of minerals and gems for easy pickings. The Spotted Tiger campground, located about 8 kilometres south of the Atitjere indigenous community, is a designated fossicking area and an excellent place to start your search. Basic camping facilities are available at the site, but it is essential to bring your own supplies as well. A 4-wheel drive is recommended for exploring beyond the campground, and be prepared for some steep hikes.
The nearby Mud Tank Zircon Field is also worth a visit, as some of the zircons found there can be quite large. Top-quality zircons from this area are extremely difficult to distinguish from diamonds, even for trained experts, which is why they are often referred to as the "poor man's diamond". Following the creek beds in the area will often lead you to large "Garnet Balls", some the size of golf balls. These garnets tend to be opaque and speckled on the surface, with a perfect crystal structure. While they may not have much monetary value, they are great conversation pieces and look impressive in a collection.
In addition to garnets and zircons, Harts Range is also known for its ruby deposits. In fact, in 1978, a significant discovery of ruby crystals was made in the eastern Harts Range, about 6 kilometres southeast of Mount Brady. These rubies are found in an actinolitic marble, which is white with small specks of green actinolite. While many of the rubies from this area are flawed and opaque, some can be quite large and impressive-looking.
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Killiecrankie Bay, TAS: Uncover specimens of topaz at low tide
Killiecrankie Bay, located at the northern end of Flinders Island, Tasmania, is a renowned fossicking area for topaz crystals. These crystals are known locally as "Killiecrankie Diamonds" and are highly sought-after for their perfect clarity and large sizes. Beachgoers and fossickers are often drawn to this remote bay, where they can uncover beautiful specimens of topaz at low tide.
The topaz crystals found in Killiecrankie Bay are typically colourless to pale blue, but they can also be found in shades of translucent white, pale pink, pale green, or even yellow. These crystals occur as glassy, well-formed orthorhombic shapes or water-worn pebbles, adding to their aesthetic appeal. The main source of topaz in the area is the tin-bearing pegmatite in the local granites, although it is rarely seen in its original geological context.
For those seeking a rewarding fossicking experience, Killiecrankie Bay offers abundant crystals up to 20 mm in size, with some specimens reaching impressive dimensions of up to 80 mm. The bay's classic locality and Fossicking Area have been extensively worked over time, making it more challenging to find topaz crystals. However, with patience and a willingness to wade at low tide, you can still discover valuable stones hidden in cracks along the beach.
In addition to Killiecrankie Bay, there are other designated Fossicking Areas in northeastern Tasmania where topaz can be found. These include Gladstone/Mt Cameron and the Weld River, which is known for its abundant topaz crystals and easy accessibility. Black Creek and Main Creek, further upstream from the Weld River, are also recommended for more adventurous fossickers. At these locations, it is suggested to dig behind obstructions, such as rock bars or log jams, and to keep an eye out for coarse blackjack (spinel), which indicates a good natural sediment trap.
Tasmania offers a diverse range of fossicking opportunities beyond Killiecrankie Bay. For example, Mines Creek near Tanner Bay is known for its plentiful topaz, which can be found in the creek downstream of old alluvial tin diggings and in the coarser gravel layers by the ponds. Additionally, topaz can occasionally be found on the beach at Coles Bay, particularly on the south side near the quarry and YHA, during low tide.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a diverse landscape and geology, making it a great place to find a variety of crystals and gemstones. Some of the most popular fossicking sites for crystals in Australia include:
- Coober Pedy, SA for opals
- Harts Range, NT for garnets and zircon
- Glen Innes, NSW for sapphires
- Killiecrankie Bay, TAS for topaz
Australia is the world's biggest producer of diamonds and opals. It is also a major supplier of sapphires, rubies, emeralds, garnets, topaz and jade.
If you are a beginner, it is recommended to join a guided tour. You will be taken to the most productive locations and given the basic tools to get started. You can also buy or bring your own hand tools like a shovel, pick, sieve and bucket.
Yes, keep your eyes on the ground so you don’t miss any easy finds. Go hunting after heavy rain as rain washes sapphires down creeks and they can be found around washed-out tree roots. Remember that rough gems can appear brown due to mud or weathering, so take a closer look even if they are not sparkling.
