Tucked away in Central Queensland lies one of Australia’s most historically rich and geologically significant regions: the Gemfields, comprised of small towns such as Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Emerald.
Over the years, I’ve encountered many fine sapphires, but there’s something distinct about those from the Queensland Gemfields. Unlike the vivid blues of Sri Lanka or the velvety tones of Kashmir, Queensland sapphires are complex and varied- featuring natural inclusions, colour zoning, and sometimes even multiple hues within a single stone.
Parti sapphires, with their natural blends of green, yellow, and blue, have become a signature of the region. Once overlooked, these stones are now leading a revival in bespoke jewellery design, admired for their individuality and ethical provenance.
International attention was drawn to the Queensland Gemfields with the discovery of the 202-carat Stonebridge Green sapphire in Rubyvale in 1938 by gem miner Frederick Max Stonebridge, who refused to cut the stone and exhibited it often. Today, the stone is held in the Richardson Collection, owned by a gem miner in Anakie whose great-grandfather, Archibald Richardson, discovered sapphires in the region in the 1880s.
That same year, in 1938, a 12-year-old named Roy Spencer kicked what he thought was a lump of coal that, once cut, turned out to be a 733-carat black sapphire. The family used what is now known as The Black Star of Queensland as a doorstop for ten years before its value was discovered. For many years, it was considered the world’s largest star sapphire.
As interest in Australian-made and ethically sourced gemstones grows, the Queensland Gemfields are experiencing a quiet renaissance. Designers, buyers, and collectors are seeking out these stones not just for their beauty, but for their traceability and uniqueness. And perhaps most wonderfully, in the Queensland Gemfields, you never quite know what you’ll discover next.
By Troy McKenzie, Head of Private Collections, Queensland
Top Image: Drone aerial view looking down over sapphire mine diggings in central Queensland Australia/ Alamy
October 2025