Gemstone fossicking in Vic

[R_G_Bargy]

Not sure how well it will work Golddigg. Worth a try though!
Let us know when you're ready Kitangel.

 

[G0lddigg@]

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/357/1368326847_rubies.jpg

few me and missus got yesterday too many in the pan to pull out, hope to find some bigger ones soon

do you belong to a gem club ? these are very nice finds for ballarat

Hey mate no I don't belong to a gem club, just the club of gotta get away from my office and outdoors as much as I can club

 

[elbowgrease]

Powelltown is good and easy access \ digging too. I was out that way recently and found a hell of a lot of crystals which fall into the "close but not quite's" category where one end of the stone was good and the other end was crappy or the stone was a bit cloudy etc, still nice stones and to a beginner like me great fun and rewarding finds all the same. I did manage a few nice stones in the way of a topaz, a citrine and a really black smoky which I'm hoping to get cut (thanks for advise Wal) as well as a large crystal which I've tidied up the rough bits a little at my local gem club and will keep as a specimen.

As huntingtheyellow said there is some stuff in the way of fossils around clonbinane area. Hunting's from that area and knows it pretty damn well, anyhows I took him to a little creek I go for gold in and he actually managed to find signs of fossils in the very rock slabs I'd been sitting on to pan my sluice cons on!

Beechworth and Eldorado can be tough going. Over the last 12 months I've moved a fair bit of dirt chasing gold there and I haven't seen to much in the way of gem stones. I've picked out the odd few here and there, including a ripper little topaz and some sapphires (which are probably just too small to do anything with) but not much when you consider the quantity of material shifted. Away from Reedy Creek I've done a little better though but that whole area has been hit pretty hard over the years.

Best of luck and will love to hear how you go

Adam

 

[Highway1]

AU Fever,

I have sent you a PM on your your offer of creeks and rivers as I am in central vic and looking for interesting places to fossick gemstones.

Cheers

 

[aadelaidean]

I wouldnt mind a find like that, well done

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/357/1368326847_rubies.jpg

few me and missus got yesterday too many in the pan to pull out, hope to find some bigger ones soon

 

[Highway1]

I have also spent a day around Daylesford and found some very attractive stones, plus a sample of gold. There were lots of very very small stones, all the of stones so small they are only good for looking at in a bottle with some water to enhance there colour. Just like GOlddig's collection.

I also found plenty of smokey coloured "quartz looking" stone but different, it almost looks a little waxy, the odd bit has a brownish red tint. Would this be some type of Tourmaline or is just quartz. Sorry no photo but I will get there.

Cheers

 

[zel555]

Hi there,

This is my first time to ask the question. It is most important for all of us. Does any of us is able to make the list of creeks and rivers in VIC on which we are allowed fossicking for gold and gemstones instead of the list which we are not allowed? It is so much confusions and questions (Where to go? Is the area permitted for prospecting or not? From where to where I can fossick? Etc...) The simple list: Creek whatever name - from Halls Gap to Port Phillip Bay. That should be example. Maybe we should come up all together with some information and make the list, to make our research more simple. If come to the change for some of the places, just make an update and we are ready to go. Keep the list on this forum for members to check at any time.
By the way prospecting and panning for 5 years in VIC

PS: Sorry for spelling mistakes. English is my second or third language . Really love this forum, so many honest, useful and good information. Thanks for everything and wish that all of you strike luck for your good effort to make our hobby and 'work' ezy

Best Regards

Zel555

 

[Banana bread]

Clonbinane Is a good place to prospect with a nice camp ground too with well maintained toilets

Just past Wallan on the Hume highway

-Banana Bread (BB)

 

[amstaffs]

Au fever..
hi I wouldn't mind some locations please as my son loves finding rocks even if it's just the shapes he likes and is there any chance you would know of a gem club around Ballarat Creswick area too that he could get into..thanks heaps

 

[Dughug]

The Ballarat & District Gem Club meets at the Old Sebastopol School Yarrowee Street Sebastopol.

Their contact details are

Ballarat & District Gem Club
PO Box 736,
BALLARAT VIC 3353
Phone: (03) 5330 1597 or (03) 5339 3871

They have a well equipped workshop and they used to have regular field trips to various locations in the area. It's worth giving them a ring to find out meeting times and workshop times. You & your Kids will be able to enjoy their facilities by becoming a member.

 

[[email protected]]

G'day diggers ! Macca from Melton here just joined up,needing a new interest to get out of the house. Ide like to go fossicking with old hands, I have a few tools and Awd car, also a Crystal collection that needs Rubys and Saphires and a bit of Gold . I'm retired and Bored.

 

[M&J Prospectors]

If you can get your hands on a UV light(ebay has some cheapies). Rubies will show up bright red when illuminated by it. Some zircons and diamonds will show up yellow. I dont have a lot of time but, seeing you're from Ballarat(about 30mins from where I live) I could give you a lesson on sieving if you like? That goes for anyone else about this neck of the woods .

A Mate & I would be keen on a few tips if we could arrange something..
Where not local but do travel a lot.

 

[Cruisy247]

I'm looking for some places around Leongatha area. I've heard there are sapphires around but not sure on location

 

[user 4386]

Kitangel - lots of good areas closer than Geelong - around Blackwood, Trentham, Maldon, Campbelltown, Leigh River near Grenville - just check legal first though, Sapphires, zircon in those places (mostly with gold) - good zircon near Camperdown (no gold)

 

[user 4386]

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/natural-rubies-fluoresce/

http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/heat_seeker_uv_fluorescence.htm

http://www.gemstones-guide.com/Ultra-Violet-Fluorescence.html

- show photos

Take care buying UV lights - all are dangerous (you know about melanoma) but some are very dangerous (type C, far UV, short wavelength), very carcinogenic, burn skin and can blind you without gloves and special goggles (which is why welders wear a mask, it is not just the brightness). A reasonable wattage is also best and a filtered design if you want good strong results (not 4W unfiltered). Danger depends on wavelength (as does the fluorescence colour, intensity and whether it occurs at all) - rubies fluoresce best at long wavelength but give some fluorescence at short wavelength (it is the Cr, which is what gives the red colour)

https://www.ehs.washington.edu/rsononion/uvlight.shtm (dangers, explains wavelength issues)

http://www.njminerals.org/lamps.html (useful advice)

Stores like Prospectors Supplies in NSW sell lamps of either or both wavelength and light, glasses-size protective goggles. I would always use goggles for any wavelength and definitely skin protection for short wavelength - many websites will say that long wavelength is not dangerous but that is no longer considered correct - it is just LESS dangerous (the reason tanning salons were recently banned in Victoria).

 

[user 4386]

Hey Stephanie,

My wife picked up a book off fleabay called "Gemstones of Victoria" by Derrick Stone, published back in 1967 by Jacaranda Press.

It lists the following gem fields near Geelong and what can be found in them.

Blackwood-Trentham: Black Gins (Plenaste), blue and green sapphires, limonite, red zircons, quartz.
Ballarat: Amethyst, garnet, citrine, sapphire, coloured quartz, topaz, emerald, zircon.
Daylesford: Agates, sapphire, garnets, quartz crystal, rubies, zircon

Shoot me a PM if you want the names of some of the rivers/creeks where these can be found.

An excellent later publication with maps has a similar title and is published by museum of Victoria - Bill Birch is the second author I think

 

[user 4386]

I'm looking for some places around Leongatha area. I've heard there are sapphires around but not sure on location

slightly North of Bass in private land I think - discussed by Bill Birch in his book on gemstones of Victoria, published by Melboourne Museum (OOP but second hand copies are sold).

 

[Marauder]

A good one is the Quarry in Mortlake, Mount Shadwell. Lots of work/luck to get something nice, but you'll always find something!

 

[LONEWOLF]

A good one is the Quarry in Mortlake, Mount Shadwell. Lots of work/luck to get something nice, but you'll always find something!

Apparently Mount Shadwell is by 'Escort only' now... This was mentioned on another Forum last week... You Book at the Tourist/Info Centre 1 or 2 days Before you turn up and if someone is available, you get to go The Guide will stay with you while you Fossick for the day....

Another Area under Threat...Anybody know Why?

LoneWolf....

 

[user 4386]

My understanding is that it is an operating quarry, in which case it would not seem unreasonable...