Local Colour: 4 Australian Gemstones to Covet
Australia’s treasure trove of precious stones is nothing short of mesmerising. From the rugged landscapes of far north Queensland to the iconic Argyle mine, our country boasts a kaleidoscope of gems that capture the imagination and spark fascination. Towns like Rubyvale, Emerald, and Sapphire wear their mineral heritage proudly, while the legendary Argyle mine has left an indelible mark with its rare and breathtaking pink diamonds—now even more coveted as the mine’s closure drives their value sky-high.
Part of e.g.etal’s ethos has always been to celebrate the extraordinary and champion the unexpected. Australia’s native gems embody this spirit with their stunning diversity. Think multi-tonal Parti sapphires, vibrant emeralds rich with natural inclusions, the enigmatic Lightning Ridge opals with their fiery streaks, and South Sea pearls that gleam like clouds. Here, in our own backyard, lies an unparalleled collection of nature’s artistry—a true testament to the beauty that lies beneath our feet and in our oceans.
Australian Sapphires
Currently, the most desirable stone originating in Australia is the parti sapphire. These gems contain a mix of hues – sometimes green, blue or yellow – and are considered highly valuable due to their unique composition. The typical Australian sapphire is dark blue in color with a strong green dichroism, (the effect of light being split into distinctive streams of different colours).
Australian mines have produced more blue sapphires than any other source in history. Deposits are located in the gem fields at Anakie in Queensland, and the New England district of New South Wales.
Australian sapphires currently account for over 70 percent of global blue sapphire production, and demand for them is only increasing. This is partly because they are relatively hard (9 on the Mohs scale), so they have excellent toughness and longevity. This makes Australian sapphires a great choice for rings and pieces subject to daily wear. They are a great alternative to the traditional diamond for a wedding or engagement ring.
Emeralds
Emeralds were discovered in Australia in 1890 in New South Wales. After accounting for only a small portion of Australia’s gem production and with yields waining, the mines were closed permanently. Since then, emeralds have also been found in Poona, Western Australia though only in small deposits.
Because of this, Australian emeralds are few and far between, so when we come across one in the gallery it’s an extremely exciting moment. This was the case with Georgie Brooks’ ‘Textura Carezza Ring’ with a Torrington Emerald. Sourced from a retired fossicker and custom cut to Georgie’s specifications, it’s a truly incredible find.
South Sea Pearls
The Australian South Sea pearl is the largest, rarest, and most valuable of all pearls. Produced in the remote and pristine waters of the Kimberley, they are vastly known for their incredible lustre and unsurpassed quality.
They are cultured using a large, white-lipped oyster, hand-selected from the waters of the South Pacific. The oyster is about twice the size of an Akoya pearl oyster and produces much larger pearls. The more time the pearls spend in the water, the more coats of nacre they develop, which creates their lustrous look. On average, a South Sea pearl will require two to three years to develop and each oyster can produce up to three or four pearls over the course of its life. It is for this reason they are often more coveted and valuable.
South Sea pearls come in a wide range of colours, from elegant white and cream to radiant gold and dramatic black. While pearl colour does not on its own denote value, the rarer and more in-demand a colour becomes, the more valuable it will be.
e.g.etal artist Laura Eyles spent a four-month residency in Broome working with and learning from the practices behind South Sea Pearl farming. This resulted in an incredible body of work from Laura including her ‘Keshi Pearl Ring #5′. Cradled in 18ct yellow gold, the warmth of the gold and the lustre of the pearl together are truly gorgeous.
Opals
Opals can be found worldwide however the largest supply of opals comes from Australia where we make up 95% of the international supply. Australian opals are also widely considered the finest in the world.
Thanks to the geological conditions in vast regions of Australia, Opals have been able to thrive. This is due to multiple locations where millions of years ago geothermal springs flowed. Slowly over time the minerals deep in the earth made their way to the surface and grew in bedrock cavities to form opal. The most prominent locations of opal production exist in Australian Opal fields like Lightning Ridge, Queensland, South Australia, Mintabie, and Yowah. White opal is found in South Australia, Black opal is found in Lightning Ridge, NSW, and Boulder opal is found in Queensland.
Anita Crowther’s ‘Portal Earrings’ are adorned with Yowah Nut Opals. As their name implies they look nut-like and are often cut in half to create a symmetrical pair. Anita is known for sourcing incredible opals and this one was no exception.
If you’re interested in creating something special with an Australian stone, contact us.
