QLD gems

[gules]

Hello all,We are heading of soon for our prospecting camping trip around georgetown,was wondering if anone can give some information on gem stones around this area,Keen to have a go at this and would love to know our input ....cheers all

 

[Heatho]

I'd be heading to "Lava Plains" to try for some Sapphires if I were in the area, not too far from Georgetown at all. I don't know anything about the area but it would be worth doing some reading up on it.

 

[Lefty]

Gday gules - I don't have any direct info for you but I have been told that the Cloncurry area is well worth a look with rhodolite and pyrope garnets, iolite, amethyst and other things. The poster called "Fullarton" over at Aussie Lapidary Forum lives in Cloncurry, he might be able to give you some useful info.

 

[Lefty]

Hang on, I know where you mean now - google Agate creek, Mount Surprise, Mount Gibson and Lava Plains as Heatho suggested. All of them are designated fossicking areas. I've only dug at Mount Gibson but there is definately facetable topaz and smokey quartz crystal there. The road in off the highway to the dig site is short - only about 6km - but is pretty well extreme 4WD country. Well worth a look though.