The Big Sapphire Ring
Height
Unknown
Year Built
Address
Sapphire, QLD 4702
The Lowdown
The Big Sapphire Ring sparkles in the Queensland outback town of Sapphire, marking one of the richest sapphire deposits in the world. This oversized gem ring celebrates the Gemfields region, where fossickers have been finding precious sapphires since the 1870s. The Central Queensland Gemfields - comprising Sapphire, Rubyvale, Willows, and Anakie - produce approximately 70% of the world's commercially viable sapphires. Visitors can try their luck fossicking for gems at licensed sites, with many finding genuine sapphires, zircons, and other precious stones. The Big Sapphire Ring invites treasure hunters and gem enthusiasts to explore this unique Australian mining district.
Did you know?
"Sapphires here come in many colours including blue, yellow, green, and parti-coloured"
History
Sapphires were first discovered in the Anakie region in 1875 by a shepherd searching for water. Commercial mining began in the 1890s, and by the early 1900s, the Gemfields had become a significant global sapphire source. The area saw a resurgence in the 1970s when modern mining techniques revealed the true extent of the deposits. The Big Sapphire Ring celebrates this gem-hunting heritage, standing as a beacon for the thousands of fossickers who visit annually hoping to find their own precious stones in the red Queensland dirt.
More Fun Facts
- •The Central Queensland Gemfields produce about 70% of the world's sapphires
- •Sapphires here come in many colours including blue, yellow, green, and parti-coloured
- •The largest sapphire found in Australia weighed over 2000 carats
- •Fossicking licences cost around $10 and allow you to keep what you find
- •The Gemfields comprise four main towns: Sapphire, Rubyvale, Willows, and Anakie
Visiting Tips
- 💡Buy a fossicking licence and try your luck at licensed sites
- 💡Many operators offer guided fossicking experiences
- 💡The Miners Heritage Walk-in Mine at Rubyvale is excellent
- 💡Bring plenty of water - it's hot in the Queensland outback
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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