Their motto is "A great find? You bet'cha!!" and I must agree with it. When we got here we had nothing but the best service. We felt part of the family. The owner showed us how to start fossicking. --First one can buy either a bucket of…Read More

Their motto is "A great find? You bet'cha!!" and I must agree with it. When we got here we had nothing but the best service. We felt part of the family. The owner showed us how to start fossicking.

--First one can buy either a bucket of dirt for 6$ or a wheelbarrow of dirt for 35$. --Then one must wash the dirt in a "double strainer", until all is left are medium size rocks in the first strainer, and small rocks in the second strainer. --Then we check the first strainer for sapphires, which could be from light yellows to dark blues in shades, by turning the strainer upside down on a table with a cloth on it. --The owners were there at all times to help us out. They offered coffee and water. There was shade and picnic tables. --Here we can also hire fossicking equipment if you're looking to do this on your own. But it's a little more difficult and a little less rewarding. One needs to purchase a license in Emerald and be under the scorching sun for hours on end. And when the sun goes down, you probably haven't found anything. --The owner set up, for us, a grand tour of the Sapphire business which you can read about under Coolamon Mining. --Yes, we did find some!! The owner, a gemmologist, then examined the sapphires and divided them into which one we could have cut and which one we couldn't. E.g. Star Sapphire, Black Spinel, and Cutible Sapphire.

She said that we can either send them by mail, or to bring them back when we are ready to have them cut, for a very affordable fee. It would take 24 hrs to have them ready, and even mounted if we desired so. Personally I wouldn't have any problems sending them via mail, if it happens that I cannot return, as I trust those people completely.

I took mine with me and will wait until the right occasion to have them cut. For more information about CD Down Under Gems, you can get in touch with them at:

--PH 07 4985 4920 --Mob 0438 155 980 --Mob 0408 780 344 --PO Box 355 Sapphire, QLD 4702 --Email downundergems69@hotmail.com

We were taken on a tour from the CD Down Under Gems to one of Coolamon's mining sites. Most of the population of Sapphire and Rubyvale work in the gem mine. They are like a big family, and no one is trying to top the other.…Read More

We were taken on a tour from the CD Down Under Gems to one of Coolamon's mining sites.

Most of the population of Sapphire and Rubyvale work in the gem mine. They are like a big family, and no one is trying to top the other. They are helping each other. I was quite impressed to experience how these people lived in harmony. Truly an example to many parts of the earth.

As we were driving to the mine, we got a slight history of the development of center Queensland and the mining industry.

A few years ago, it seems that the Russians were giving their recognized soldiers lots of Queensland, which of course consisted of slightly deserted land, as we can witness as we drive through these parts of Australia. The "new" owners weren't aware of the "gifts" until they arrived to Australia. But they made the best of the situation, and that's when they found that this area was rich in Sapphires and other gems, and started developing the business. Not many live here, but the Australians took over the "digging" to offer the world some of the best qualities Sapphires.

On our way we also encountered a man with a camel?? Yes, a camel in the middle of Northern Australia. We were told that this man was a champion camel driver of the Australian camel races. He lives close by for the peace, quiet and friendly atmosphere. Although we didn't stop to talk to him due to our lack of time in the area, we were told that he's extremely friendly and not vain at all. It would have been pleasant to interact with him, as per how/when he decided to race, but it will be in another story in the future perhaps.

When we got to the mining site, the "tractor" "sapphire digging machine" was broken, therefore we had a chance to actually have a full tour and explanations of how everything works. From digging, washing, size selecting to cutting, we had detailed explanations.

Sapphires resources are diminishing rapidly around the world. Therefore the gem is becoming rarer every day. Coolamon Mining mostly export blue sapphires, but the Central Queensland Gemfields also produces a mixture of all the other colors of sapphires available. Coolamon offers a by-product of zircons too. The Australians have been trying to break the world market for quite a few years, and only in these recent years have they been recognized. It wasn’t the quality, as these sapphires are top quality, it was just a lack of knowledge from the world’s population as per where sapphires are dug.

To purchase or have further information on Coolamon Mining Pty LTD contact them at;

--PH 07 4985 4277 --Fax 07 4985 4384 --PO Box 303 --Sapphire, Qld --4702 --Email coolamon@cqgemfields.com --web sites click here

One can go on a wild trek and fossick for Sapphires on his own. Although a lot of equipment is required and the working conditions aren't that great. One can purchase a fossicking license at C.H.T.O situated in Emerald. They have fossicking maps and…Read More

One can go on a wild trek and fossick for Sapphires on his own. Although a lot of equipment is required and the working conditions aren't that great. One can purchase a fossicking license at C.H.T.O situated in Emerald. They have fossicking maps and all other information required. As per the equipment which would include shovels, strainers, picks, large water containers to wash the rocks, water, etc.... the whole idea can result in being very costly and not very satisfactory. Unless of course one just wants the adventure of being under the scorching sun of Queenlands for hours on end, being covered in red dirt, and not finding anything but fool's gold and rocks. One never knows though, you could get lucky.

For more information you can get in touch with; --C.H.T.O --Queensland Government --Natural Resources and Mines --P.O.Box 841 --Emerald, Qld --4720 --Ph/Fax 07 4982 4142 --Email chtour@maxspeed.net.au