Recent content by Bigbarra

Hi Gypsum, you can also go fossicking for a variety of gems in the Mount Crawford State Forest. See link below for details. Not only can you find gold but also tourmaline, apatite and other gemstones. Enjoy...

Hey Marauder, try Mortlake for Peridot fossicking at the quarry there. If the kids aren't too young its a great day out and you'll find some nice Peridot. It's only open on a Friday due to WH&S etc and you'll need to register at the council office, but it's free and it's an enjoyable day out. If...

Rivarat, I send stones to Lamberts all the time, so they will cut any stone that you instruct them, for example, if you want eye clean they will do this or otherwise return the stones if they are unable to cut to your specifications. Victorian stones are lovely but unfortunately they're not...

Hi Newbie, I haven't been to Moralla for ages as I'm lucky to have bucketloads of Moralla crystal! Mortlake is definitely worth a go, as zirconaus said Friday is the day due to OH&S restrictions but will need to report the council office first where you sign your indemnity form but you DON'T...

Just adding dughugs comments about Mt Shadwell at Mortlake (near Warrnambool), Average Joe, you're now only allowed to fossick for peridot there on Fridays and you need to go to the council office first to fill out the necessary paperwork. The guys at the quarry put aside an area to fossick in...

Hi Blayke, Reading your find with earnest and congrats! I can't help you with value as it's so subjective but there is a cutter I use in Inverell who also heat treats for a very low cost (around $1.50 per carat). I recently had some stones returned and they turned out very well. Give Kate at...

Hi Mark, I live in Mt Gambier and I believe there are some good spots around Dartmoor, although I haven't been myself as I'm usually chasing gemstones. I wouldn't mind a few fossils though, seeing there is so much diversity in our local area.

Thanks Tathradj, much appreciated. I can't wait till later in the year now!

Hi All, I recently went fossicking in Inverell and built a Walbanker to use for gem fossicking. but I was told that use of machines such this weren't allowed in NSW. I see some posts on here where guys are looking to use high bankers in State Forest etc. Can anyone clarify whether high banking...

Thanks TheDigger, I'll do some research and see what I can come with. It's always good to have a starting point.

Newbie, Try gemval.com; they're pretty handy but it won't give you general valuations for precious gems such as diamonds, sapphires etc as you need to subscribe. But still a valuable website nonetheless.

thedigger, the sapphire that your friend found in Daylesford, do you know where he found it? Sapphires are my favourite gemstone (apart from Peridot!) and I would love to go fossicking closer to home for these rather than go to Inverell every year. :)

Hi Teemore, Peridot bombs look like potatoes (the best way I can describe them) and they're rather heavy in comparison to similar rocks. They can be covered in basalt, which is quite porous. What you do is you find one of these bombs and crack it in your hand with a hammer and it should crack...

Hi Tom, Peridot is a crystal that is formed in xenoliths or "bombs" and you break these open to reveal the crystals. It takes a fair bit of cracking before you find crystals that are bit enough for faceting. I have enclosed some pictures as a "before" & after, with two stones cutting just...

Hi All, For those that love their peridot, or are looking for something different to add to their collection, there have been some changes to access to the council run quarry. I went there on Monday with my wife and a friend and you are now only allowed access on a Friday, or weekends by...