Gemstones from Australia

Australia is a significant gemstone-producing nation, most celebrated for its extraordinary opals and its distinctive sapphires from Queensland and New South Wales. Australian sapphires tend toward deep blue, dark teal, and parti-colored (blue-green-yellow) stones — a character quite different from the fine blues of Sri Lanka or Burma, but increasingly sought after by collectors who appreciate their unique palette.

Australian Gem Highlights

• Sapphire: deep blue, dark teal, and distinctive parti-colored sapphires from Queensland.
• Opal: Australia produces over 90% of the world's gem opals, including black opals from Lightning Ridge.
• Diamond: the Argyle mine (now closed) produced the world's finest pink and red diamonds.