While jasper is a fairly common gemstone, the coast between the towns of Penguin and Ulverstone in north-western Tasmania is a particularly good place to find high-quality stones. There is even a dedicated Fossicking Area in Penguin, which is a great place to get started, and where you can still find some great quality material.
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Tasmanian Topaz
Second to sapphires, topaz is the most common and widespread gemstone found in Tasmania. It has a very strong association with Devonian granites in northern and western Tasmania, but can be found in other rock types. Flinders Island, the Blue Tier area and the Gladstone area are the most important occurrences, but topaz is also known from plenty of other localities, such as Bicheno, Coles Bay, the Stanley River, Moina and Mount Bischoff.
Continue readingPetrified wood in Tasmania
Petrified wood is a common material in Tertiary-age gravel beds and ancient river channels in Tasmania. It’s particularly common in areas with Tertiary basalt flows. Petrified wood is a good lapidary material and can take a great polish.
Continue readingGold detecting in Tasmania
Tasmania has an undeserved reputation as a nugget-poor location. In fact many nuggets over one ounce in size have been found historically in our goldfields.
Continue readingTasmanian agates
Agates have been found in a large number of localities around Tasmania, though only some places, such as Lune River, Little Swanport, Penstock Lagoon, Carrick and Calder are well known for their agates. Have a look at some images of Tasmanian agates.
Continue readingWeld River sapphires
Most people associate sapphires with Ceylon, Thailand, and Queensland, but did you know Tasmania has several areas where you can find them? There is even a dedicated Fossicking Area set aside just for sapphires and other gemstones.
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