AUSTRALIA’S GEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1923, Page 4

AUSTRALIA’S GEMS.

EXHIBITION FOR LONDON. SYDNEY, May 2:i. It is not widely known that Queen--land produces a greater variety of precious stenes Ulan any other country in the world, and one of the reasons of this is that on the foreign market. Australia is seldom given as the country of origin of the gems which she lias actually yielded. Other countries with established reputations get the credit. It is hoped, however, in educate tin- world, particularly regarding the magnificent sapphires which arc obtained at Auakie, in Queensland, by means of a display of Australian gems at tho Empire Exhibition. Auakie stones go either to Continental centres or America, and are then sold as gums from foreign countries to the English retailers, who practically know nothing about Queensland as a producer of sapphires. It is desired to advert he Queensland yellow, green, and particoloured sapphires, and red hyacinths (zircons), because they are unique in themselves, are comparatively rare, and cannot he npproneclid by anything of their class in the world. Other Queensland stones, it is pointed cut, do not count in comparison, whether they be rubies, olivines, topazes, amethysts, or aquamarines. No doubt they are very beautiful gems, but are not better than other similar stones, produced by ether countries. The parti-coloured sapphires of Anakie, however, are wonderful stones, almost invariably brilliant, and of bright colours in blue and yellow, or green and yellow, ami, what is an important feature in these times of cheap manufactured stones, cannot be imitated by the maker of synthetic blue, red and yellow sapphires.