Precious Stones in Queensland

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 35, 8 September 1892, Page 4

Precious Stones in Queensland

Snprises continues to come from Queensland (says lhe Leader) concerning the wealth ana diversity o( its mineral resources. Mount Morgan has fallen off to some extent in ex* ceptional richness, but the confidence ot the miner is sustained by the sensational finds reported from fields further north. Nor is discovery confined to auriferous treasure alone. There are sanguine people who contemplate that the wonders of the diamond mines at the Cape will yet be rivalled, if not surpassed, on Queensland soil. Hitherto tbe prospect has been one ot promise, rather than of enything approaching realisation, but recently very favourable reports have been received from a district called the Gem country, where, if rumour does not lie, precious stones may be picked up as if it were the fabled valley of sailor Sindbad's adventure. The locality is situated about 190 miles irom Kockhainpton, the Central line ot Railway. In the dritt or wash, which covers au area ot about 60 acres, besides forming the bed of ali gullies, there are to be found many fine gems, of whose quality a Brisbane jeweller gives an enthusiastic report. Ihe gems occur in the dritt in hexagonal pyramidical crystals ot'sapphire, many being broken into irregular masses with angles rounded off by friction, while others retain fairly sharp angles. The colours " blue " include the true bleu, an roi which appears most abundant, indigo blue, and a lovely peacock tint, which, under the lapidary's skill yields a very beautiful gem ot remarkable brilliancy. The paler and very light blue varieties, so common in the drifts of Ceylon, are conspicuous by their absence. Green sapphires (the Oriental emerald) occur in various shades, from light green to deep olive, with many crystals that yield .g-ems of singular beauty. Yellow sapphires (the Oriental topaz) also occur, but appear to be less abundant than their darker sisters. A deep golden coloured stone ot this variety has yielded a gem of 1 12- 16th carats weight ot exceptionals beauty, and displaying scientillation of light equal to the lustre of a diamond. Red sapphire (the Oriental ruby) has not yet been found ot* any size to deserve special notice ; but the occurrence of very small crystals of this gem in the finer drift washed indicates that larger specimens may he met with. Zircous (or hyacinth) appear to be fairly abundant, and vary in colour or tint form ruby red to garnet, pink, yellow, cinnamon, and white. The drift also affords a considerable quantity of corundum of extraordinary size, many specimens retaining the perfect lorni of sapphire crystals, but quite opaque and, as gems, of no commercial value. Quantity as well as quality is also obtainable, two loads of drift washed with rude appliances yielding excellent results. A "lead" of extra ordinary richness is hinted at, and a confident opinion expressed that extensive gem deposits in the early alluvium underlying the more recent surface drift might be opened up at moderate cost. With such brilliant prospects ahead Queensland depression should vanish like mist before the risiDg sun.