Fossicking

Fossicking Rules and Responsibilities

Fossicking for sapphires is a major tourist activity in the Central Queensland Sapphire Gemfields
that draws both international and domestic tourists to the region, and makes it a destination of choice
among sapphire lovers and treasure-hunters.
It is a highly unique experience to say the least, after all how often do you and where can you engage in sapphire-hunting? Such places are few and far between, and Australian sapphires are the best in the world!
At its peak, Australia produced 70% of the world's sapphires.
It may no longer be the case, yet the fossicking areas and parks still shimmer with this beautiful gem.
Australian Sapphire production may not be on a worldwide scale anymore,
yet individual finds are common making visitors satisfied and coming back for more, year after year.

How to Know You've Hit the Jackpot!

How do you spot sapphires?

Sapphires can be red (ruby), gold, blue, green, yellow, peach, clear, black, purple, color change, or multi-colored.
As with people, it is tricky to spot the real jewels in a pile of dirt.
A discerning eye is needed to tell the gem from the mere stone.
Sapphires are like some people too, they don't immediately dazzle with their brilliance.
Once polished however, their potential comes to the fore and you would have found your treasure.
But first, analyze your finds based on translucent, gloss, and colour qualities.
And if you're luckier than others, you may unearth something tremendously rare like a giant sapphire, a star sapphire,
or even the occasional diamonds!

Where to Fossick

The six Designated Fossicking Lands in the Central Queensland Sapphire Gemfields where tourist and recreational fossicking
is allowed are
Rubyvale/Sapphire, Scrub Lead/Reward/Divide,
and Willows. With the exception of Willows, all five only require Fossickers Licenses
discarding the need for owner's permission.
But the five other fossicking sites where commercial mining competition has been eliminated to the delight of casual fossickers
are Tomahawk Creek, Middle Ridge Glenalva and Graves Hill.

No Pain, No Gain

It is usually recommended that complete beginners get the hang of fossicking first at fossicking parks
which don't require a fossicking license and where you can buy a bag of "wash" to sieve, as well as learn the basics of fossicking.
Moreover, these are civilized fossicking places do not require as much toil as other expansive sapphire gemfields.
But then again, finders keepers! You have more chances of striking it rich out there in the fields.
Sapphire gemfields are found in Anakie, Sapphire, Rubyvale, Glenalva, and The Willows.
Make that leap of faith and find out what fate has in store for you!

Fossicking Procedures

Geology

The first step for someone new to fossicking is to determine where to dig.
Designated fossicking areas have this figured out for you, and there are maps to guide you as well.
The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy have mapped out places where you can be sure gemstones are present. It is also important to know the geology of the gemfields. The topmost soil is where plants are found. Immediately beneath this is the sub-soil which provides support to the topsoil. Beneath this again is the "wash" which is where the gemstones are found. All of the above are carried by a bed of clay at the bottommost part.

Extraction

By Willoughby/Sieve Methodology

Gemstones are naturally mixed with soil and other earthly particles such as pebbles which may give them a similar appearance at the onset.
Sieving has to be done to remove the soil and dust, after which the Willoughby procedure has to follow to clean off any remnant dirt after sieving. This is done by washing what is left of the sieved material, turning over the sieve upside down onto a hessian bag atop a table to drain the water out of the turned over materials. What will remain are clean remnants including gems if any. Look for materials with colour and bear in mind that most gemstones stand apart when wet. In addition, you may also hold any suspicious-looking stones up against the sun to partly determine their authenticity pending further examination by experts in the area.

Equipment

Pick
A "pick" is an instrument used to poke, scratch, or break the soil to loosen it up for shoveling.
A miner's pick with standard measurements is good enough. A lightweight scratching blade will also do.
Shovel
A spade or a shovel with a mouth that is round and medium in size will do. For convenience in carrying one around, a smaller spade or shovel is recommended.
The Willoughby
The Willoughby was made with ease of transporting or carrying it around in mind.
Below are its individual parts which can be created and put together by a handyman:
" The stand
" The vertical pivot arm
" The horizontal arm
" The sieve bridal
Inspection Table
Under a flat board which serves as the tabletop is a tubing which can be fitted into a rod of steel that is inserted into the soil for balance.
A Hessian bag provides cover for the table as well as a means to get rid of the excess water in the "wash" prior to separating dirt from gemstones or sapphires.
Shaker Box
A shaker box is composed of two boxes one on top of the other. Both boxes measure 60x40x7 cm, but the upper one has a 12mm mesh while the lower one has a 3mm mesh.
The smaller stones on the upper box which measure less than 12mm will fall below onto the lower box which has the ability to pivot so that the smaller stones it catches can be transferred first to a bucket, then processed on the Willoughby sieves.

Other Items
Other items are buckets, gloves, and containers for water.

Keep in mind that fossicking in Queensland is under government regulation.
Fossicking anywhere but fossicking parks requires a fossicker's license which can be acquired online. Follow fossicking rules and respect the unspoken law in gemfields that a hole with a bucket is someone else' hole,
so leave it.