Gemstones Galore: GEM NEWS: 2012 - 2013 Gemstone Production in South Australia

Sunday, October 12, 2014

GEM NEWS: 2012 - 2013 Gemstone Production in South Australia

SA Government Report 2012 - 2013; Gemstone production was very meager,valued at $13.8 million, compared to the huge production of metals, industrial minerals, oil and gas, valued at a total of $1.312 billion.
Most valuable was opal from around Coober Pedy ($13,792,905) and Cowell jade (179 kg valued $3375) and talc (13kg, $31). Jade production has dropped considerably from 2012 - 2013 year when it was 221,000 kg valued $331,501

Activity: In 2012 - 2013 the opal field offices at Coober Pedy, Marla and Andamooka issued 411 precious stones prospecting permits and registered 54 extra-large claims (200 x 100 m), 312 large claims (100 x 50 m) and 123 small claims (50 x 50 m). A total of 259 registration renewals and 201 cancellations of unwanted claims were processed. (Source; MESA Journal 72, Issue 1 - 2014)

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Red Beryls for Sale

eBay has 311 entries for red beryl sales, with specimen material from the Thomas Range, Utah and of specimens and faceted gems for the Wah Wah Mountains, Utah. Choice specimens are up to $10,000, and there is one faceted gem of 4 1/2 carat, asking $40,000. However, average size of natural faceted red beryls is 0.15 carats, and the largest known one is 8 carats.

Hydrothermal synthetic red beryls are offered by the Morion Co, USA, as slabs, i.e., crystals sawn through the seed plate, at $5/carat, slabs weighing 10 to 75 carats.

Brighton Co, Massachusetts, offer a range of faceted hydrothermal red beryls e.g., 6 x 4 mm, oval, $22.

Tairus Created Gems supply to the trade various colored hydrothermally grown beryls (green, blue, purple, red etc thru several distributors.
See Tairus Created Gems,

Amber Crafts

Colour of Mexican amber varies between clear yellow, cognac, red, cream and black. Clear yellow amber with insect inclusions is highly prized for pendants and display specimens. Polished amber pieces are set in silver jewelry. Local silversmithing is excellent with the usual range of pendants, necklaces, cabochons in rings and earrings. Large pieces, 6 to 10 cm size, are carved into figurines, birds, animals, frogs etc. Some expensive necklaces have amber combined with either lapis lazuli or jade. Much of the low cost amber for sale on street stalls is pressed amber, made by heating under pressure small, otherwise useless fragments.