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Activities at the Big Sapphire:
Tour Booklet
& Information:
Drop into the Big Sapphire to buy a self drive tour booklet of the Gemfields,
which will guide you to the most popular attractions at the Gemfields.
Fossicking
Licenses and Camping Permits:
We can arrange Fossicking Licenses and Camping Permits. Ask us when you
arrive at the Gemfields Information Centre. There are many shallow areas
reserved for you to fossick. Fossicking Licenses obtained are valid anywhere
in Queensland. Prices for fossicking Licenses and camping permits are
as follows:
| Fossicking Licence Prices | |||
| Licence for: | 1
Month |
6
Months |
1
Year |
| Individual: |
$
5.80
|
$
21.20
|
$
35.45
|
| Family: |
$
8.20
|
$
27.15
|
$
47.40
|
| .. | |||
| Camping Permit Prices | |||
| Permit for: | 1
night |
1
week |
|
| Individual: |
$
2.80
|
$
16.95
|
|
| Family: |
$
2.80
|
$
16.95
|
|
FOSSICKING AT THE BIG SAPPHIRE
|
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 Finding sapphires after wet sieving. |
 Wet sieving at the diggings. |
This is a great introduction to the art of fossicking. Fossicking is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. While at the Big Sapphire you do not require your own licence. With the fossicking area just out the back of the Information Centre, you can:
- Learn to wet and dry sieve pre-dug sapphire wash looking for uncut sapphires.
- Wash away the clay to find the gems. Neil and Sharyn will teach you how to pick out sapphires from the ironstone.
- Admire your findings over a cold drink afterwards.
Fossicking Costs at the Big Sapphire:
- $8.00
- 1 bucket of sapphire wash with no guarantee of cuttable sapphires.
Includes tuition, use of sieve, drums and wash bucket.
- $25.00 - 1 bucket of sapphire wash with a guarantee you will find at least one sapphire of faceting standard and size. Includes tuition, use of sieve, drums and wash bucket.
What do
I need to fossick on my own?
To fossick on your own at one of the many areas reserved for this you
will need the following:
- Fossicking
licence
(see prices at top of page) - Pick
- Shovel
- Set of sieves 1/8" and 1/4" or 3/16". 30cm diameter is comfortable. A tripod can be used for larger sieves.
- If wet sieving, will also need water and a drum to wash sieve in.
-
Personal items to take fossicking:
-
Old clothes (shirts with short or long sleeves)
-
Hat
-
Sunscreen
-
Food and snacks as you are away from the towns
-
Water to drink to prevent dehydration
-
Hire Fossicking
Equipment:
Once you get
your Fossicking Licence, you can hire all the equipment you need from
us:
- Dry Sieving Equipment - $16.50 per day
- Wet Sieving Equipment - $27.50
(Bond of
$50 is required and is refunded on return of equipment in good order)
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