Leslie Massey
Australia is a popular destination for sapphire mining, with more commercial-grade sapphires found there than anywhere else in the world. The typical Australian sapphire is dark blue with a strong green dichroism and colour zoning. The most famous types of Australian sapphires are parti-coloured, containing a mix of green, blue, and yellow, and are considered highly valuable. The Gemfields in Central Queensland is one of the largest sapphire-bearing areas in the world, with townships such as Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie, and Willows offering fossicking sites and tours for travellers and treasure seekers. Other notable sapphire-mining locations in Australia include New South Wales, Glen Innes, and New England.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First discovered | During gold mining on the Cudgegong and Macquarie rivers in New South Wales in 1851 |
| Commercial grade sapphires | More found in Australia than anywhere else in the world |
| Typical colour | Dark blue with strong green dichroism and colour zoning |
| Most famous type | Parti-coloured, a mix of green, blue, and yellow |
| Treatment | Heat-treated to lighten and improve colour and make them more transparent |
| Size | Crystals average about three carats |
| Cut | Usually cut quite shallow to make the stone appear lighter |
| Beryllium treatment | Used to make huge adjustments to the colour of stones |
| Global production | Australian sapphires account for over 70% of the global blue sapphire production |
| Top spots | Sapphire Gemfields of Central Queensland, Glen Innes in New South Wales, Newry Station, 750km south-west of Darwin, and the small town in the shadow of the Blue Mountains, 150km west of Sydney |
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What You'll Learn
The Gemfields in Central Queensland
The Gemfields offer a unique opportunity for visitors to search for sapphires and other gems. Five fossicking areas and six designated fossicking lands have been set aside for recreational and tourist fossicking. Visitors can find world-class sapphires, rubies, and zircon in these areas. Fossicking is a fun activity for families and a great way to bond while exploring the Australian outback.
It is important to note that fossicking in Queensland requires a licence, and it is not permitted on mining leases or claims without the permission of the holders. Beginners should consider joining a guided tour, as they will be provided with the necessary tools and taken to productive locations. These tours are led by expert guides who educate visitors about the history and origin of sapphires, making it a valuable learning experience.
The Gemfields also offer other attractions, such as a 25-metre-tall reproduction of Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting. Visitors can also explore the nearby town of Inverell, known for its grand heritage buildings. The area is ideal for outdoor activities like fishing and kayaking, and at night, the dark skies provide an excellent opportunity for stargazing.
The typical Australian sapphire is dark blue with a strong green dichroism and colour zoning. However, sapphires come in various colours, so it is important to keep an eye out for different flashes of colour. The most famous Australian sapphires are parti-coloured, featuring a mix of green, blue, and yellow, making them highly valuable.
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Glen Innes in New South Wales
Glen Innes is a town on the Northern Tablelands, in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the centre of the Glen Innes Severn Shire Council and is located at the intersection of the New England Highway and the Gwydir Highway. The town is known for its sapphire mines, which are found in the creek valleys immediately west of the town. Glen Innes is part of the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales and is known for its deep, rich, royal blue sapphires.
The Glen Innes district has a long history of producing wool, sheep, and beef cattle. The town also holds regular livestock sales in the local sale yards. The district was also once a major site for sawmilling, though this industry has declined and is now only conducted on a reasonable scale by the local minimum-security prison. The town has a temperate oceanic climate, with mild to warm summers and cold, windy winters with regular frost and occasional snow.
Sapphire fossicking is a popular activity in Glen Innes, and there are several designated fossicking sites in the area. Fossicking is an activity where people search for gems, in this case, sapphires, that have been washed down creeks by the rain and may be found nestled around washed-out tree roots. It is an activity that can be done by beginners, and there are guided tours available that will take people to the most productive locations and provide the basic hand tools needed.
In addition to the sapphire mines, Glen Innes is home to the Reddestone Sapphires store, which offers a range of cut and polished sapphires and sterling silver jewellery. The town also hosts Minerama, NSW's largest annual gem and jewellery show, attracting visitors and dealers from all over Australia.
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Sapphire fossicking in New South Wales
Sapphire fossicking is a popular pastime in Australia, where the vibrant and diverse landscape produces beautiful and unique sapphires. New South Wales, in particular, is an important source of gem-quality corundum, mainly sapphire.
Where to Find Sapphires in New South Wales
The largest and most economic sapphire deposits in New South Wales are found in the New England region, around Inverell and Glen Innes. Glen Innes and its surrounding areas are, in fact, the most prolific sapphire region in the state and one of the world's richest mineral diversity belts. Fossicking in this region does not require a license, so visitors can get started as soon as they arrive.
The Macquarie and Cudgegong Rivers and the Tumbarumba area are sites where sapphires have been found in New South Wales. The major source of gem-quality ruby is in the Gloucester-Barrington area, in the drainage of the ancient Barrington volcano. Here, rubies are found in association with sapphires of various colours. The Newry fossicking area, 750 km southwest of Darwin, is also a popular fossicking site, known for being one of only two places on Earth where zebra rock, or Kimberley siltstone, has been found.
Tips for Sapphire Fossicking
Sapphire fossicking requires some preparation and knowledge of the local rules and restrictions. Beginners should consider joining a guided tour, which will take you to historically productive locations and provide basic hand tools. Fossicking laws and restrictions vary across the country, so it is important to check the local state rules before beginning. While fossicking in New South Wales does not require a license, there may be permits required for specific areas, such as state forests.
When fossicking, keep your eyes on the ground and be aware that sapphires come in a range of colours, not just the classic deep blue. Rough gems may appear brown due to mud or weathering, so it is worth taking a closer look even if they are not sparkling. Going after heavy rain is a good tip, as rain washes sapphires down creeks, where they may be found near washed-out tree roots.
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Rubies and pink sapphires in New England
Rubies and pink sapphires are varieties of corundum, a crystalline form of aluminium oxide. Corundum is one of the hardest known natural substances after diamonds. The presence of chromium in corundum is what makes the gemstone red, and thus, a ruby. All other varieties of corundum are classified as sapphires.
The distinction between rubies and pink sapphires is subjective and there is no general agreement on where to draw the line. A small amount of chromium in corundum will produce a pink colour. However, for a gemstone to be considered a true ruby, there must be enough chromium to make the gem distinctly red or slightly purplish-red. In the past, pink was considered a "light red" and some rubies were described as ""pink rubies". Over time, the distinction between red and pink became more clear-cut, and the first references to pink sapphires appeared.
In Australia, rubies and sapphires have been found in all eastern states, including Tasmania. The largest and most economic sapphire deposits are found in the New England region of New South Wales (NSW), around Inverell and Glen Innes. The New England gemfields are said to produce Australia's finest blue sapphires. The Kings Plains area, near Inverell, has some of the richest deposits of gem-quality sapphires ever mined.
If you're interested in trying to find your own rubies and pink sapphires in the New England region, you can try sapphire fossicking. Fossicking sites are designated areas where visitors can search for sapphires and other gems. In NSW, fossicking does not require a license, so visitors can get started as soon as they arrive. However, it's important to have all the necessary permits and to be aware of any laws and restrictions around fossicking. You can join a guided tour, which will provide you with the basic hand tools needed to get started, such as a shovel, pick, sieve and bucket. Keep your eyes on the ground and look out for flashes of colour—sapphires come in a rainbow of hues, not just blue.
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Sapphire Reflections in Central Queensland
Sapphire was one of three towns within the locality of The Gemfields until 17 April 2020, when the Queensland Government decided to replace The Gemfields with three new localities (Sapphire Central, Anakie Siding and Rubyvale) based around each of the three towns. Sapphire Central is a rural locality in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, Australia. It has a population of around 500 to 570 people, according to census data from 2006 and 2016. The town of Sapphire is within the locality.
Sapphire Gemfields is a popular destination for travellers and treasure seekers looking to experience the Australian outback and try their hand at sapphire fossicking. Fossicking is the term used for mining or digging for sapphires and other gems. It has become a popular pastime in Australia, with many fossicking sites and tours available. Visitors can learn about the history and origin of sapphires while trying to spot the gems in the walls of mines or creeks. The best time to go hunting for sapphires is after heavy rain, as rain washes sapphires down creeks, and they can be found around washed-out tree roots.
Sapphire Gemfields in Central Queensland has a unique personality and charm, with quirky homes made of billy boulders and bush timber, and camels, horses and cattle roaming freely. The area also has a rich history, dating back to the 1870s, and is known for its quirky homes and roaming camels, horses, and cattle. The Sapphire Gemfields Interpretive Trail is a great way to learn about the area's history and characters, while also taking in the stunning landscape and searching for precious stones.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sapphire Gemfields in Central Queensland is one of the largest sapphire-bearing areas in the world. Covering almost 900 square kilometres, it takes in the townships of Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows.
You can bring your own hand tools like a shovel, pick, sieve and bucket, but you don't need to as guided tours provide the basic tools you'll need to get started.
The typical Australian sapphire is dark blue in colour, but sapphires come in a rainbow of hues, so keep an eye out for flashes of colour.
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