Australian Sapphire Mining Operations
Australian Sapphires are an appealing proposition, largely due to the mining practices and regulations, ensuring that all stones are mined ethically and sustainably. Combined with support from the Australian Government, Australian sapphires are mined under Government oversight with strong pro-environmental and worker laws. Following mining, a deposit is rejuvenated to its original state once the supply has been exhausted.
Mining in Queensland
Our sapphire suppliers FURA have 100% ownership of Capricorn Sapphire and Great Northern Mining, close to Emerald in Central Queensland. FURA uses open-pit mines which deliver an estimate of 6 million carats of sapphire each year. Queensland mines are recognised for their greens, yellows, teals, parti and teal blue sapphires.
At Sapphire Dreams we collect a premium selection of rough sapphires, working with our partners to cut and polish each stone.
What makes Australian Sapphires Special?
Ethics
Australian Sapphires are internationally recognised for their ethical mining processes. The Australian Government implements and monitors mining practices closely, ensuring that these processes are environmentally friendly and aligned with worker laws. These processes, whether large or small, employ restorative measures to return the environment to its original state.
COLOUR BANDING
Australian Sapphires can show prominent colour banding, with blue and yellow, blue and green, or green and yellow bands common. If the banding is distinct in a piece of sapphire rough, sometimes a bi-colour gemstone can be cut.
Colour zoning or colour patches can result as a sapphire crystal forms, depending on the trace elements present. “Parti” sapphires display two or more colours within one stone, visible in different lights and at different angles when viewed.
The Colour Range
Australian Sapphire comes in the complete range of colours to be found in sapphire. From pure blue, through green to yellow and gold, even occasional orange/pink. The majority of our rough occurs in shades of green, teal, and yellow, however there are still significant amounts of blue. Teal sapphires are another one of Australia's most recognised colours, sitting between blue and green on the colour chart.
UNIQUE ROUGH FROM DIFFERENT AREAS
New South Wales fields produce slightly more pure blues and less greens, yellow and parti stones. Very large stones are rare and the majority of a mine run would be in the size range of less than one carat. The Queensland fields produce slightly less pure blue stones, with many leaning towards a teal blue and a greater proportion of greens, yellows and parti material. Average mine run parcels tend to be overall of larger carat size.
