What gemstones can be found in Mongarlowe and Shoalhaven Rivers?

[Explorer385]

Hi all,

I know that both the Mongarlowe and Shoalhaven rivers are noted for being alluvial gold bearing rivers, but was wondering if anyone knows whether they contain any gemstones of note?

I haven't found any yet but would like to try my hand if it is worthwhile.

Terry

 

[DrDuck]

Diamonds have been reported in the Shoalhaven, but I don't expect that there are many large gem quality stones to be found. But still worth having a close look at your concentrates.

http://www.minelinks.com/alluvial/diamondGeology43.html

 

[Explorer385]

Thanks DrDuck,
Just read that article, very illuminating!
It would be very nice to find one or 10.

Terry

 

[Heatho]

Hey Terry, a lot of rivers and streams between the Shoalhaven and the Queensland border contain Sapphires or some other gemstones but not many places are renowned as good, where I mean good gem quality, if gems are not of good quality they are just stones and not gems. In my opinion stick to the renowned gem bearing areas and you'll do better than trying other way less productive areas.

There are good Sapphires at Grabben Gullen and Oberon but still not enough to get me regularly to those places, I save up my moolah and head to places like the New England area where I know the pickings are more plentiful. When you think that only say one in every 20-50 stones is a special stone really worth cutting you want maximise chances.

 

[Explorer385]

Good advice Heatho. I was wondering if it might have been worth going through some of the screenings from my gold seeking adventures while I had some spare time.
Don't have anything to look through yet, but thought I could keep some rocks to go through in the future if worthwhile.

Would love to venture further afield but need to do more research or find some good spots to visit.

Have a couple of spots on the bucket list. Ruby vale and Grawin spring to mind as wall as the New England area.

Terry

 

[backcreek]

Hay Terry,
I have been scratching around in the Mongarlowe for a while now and I sometimes get little red stones (pin head size and smaller) in my cleanups, maybe rubies, I don't know I'm no rock hound. I sometimes get quartz cristals as well but that's about it.

 

[Heatho]

Hey Terry, check my thread on Inverell/Glenn Innes........ Will give you a bit of insight on the area.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2906

 

[Heatho]

Hay Terry,
I have been scratching around in the Mongarlowe for a while now and I sometimes get little red stones (pin head size and smaller) in my cleanups, maybe rubies, I don't know I'm no rock hound. I sometimes get quartz cristals as well but that's about it.

I reckon they are probably garnets Backcreek, very common in gold areas.

 

[backcreek]

Yea you could be right but they look too red for garnets if you know what I mean. For all I know it could be red glass.

Hay Terry,
I have been scratching around in the Mongarlowe for a while now and I sometimes get little red stones (pin head size and smaller) in my cleanups, maybe rubies, I don't know I'm no rock hound. I sometimes get quartz cristals as well but that's about it.

I reckon they are probably garnets Backcreek, very common in gold areas.

 

[Explorer385]

Hey Terry, check my thread on Inverell/Glenn Innes........ Will give you a bit of insight on the area.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2906

Hi Heatho,

Thanks for that. Sounds like a place to go and might even get my better half to join me.

Gotta go! Yes dear. Sorry dear, I'm coming dear......

Terry

 

[Heatho]

It's definitely worth the trip if you stay up there for a few days, top people, nice town, I always have a great time at Inverell, hanging to get back up there when it thaws out a bit.

 

[Greglz86]

Some people probably wont believe me, but i found a sapphire next to the bridge at oallen back in my first few weeks of highbanking.

 

[Greglz86]

Possibly fell out of someones pocket but found it there none the less

 

[Heatho]

They are there Greg no doubt, just not in plentiful numbers though. I remember you mentioning it back then, nice little stone.

 

[Greglz86]

The sad part was that i had been to grabben gullen several times before that and found stuff all :8

 

[Heatho]

It's often the way mate, go looking for something and you hardly ever find it, go somewhere not looking and hey there it is.

 

[Explorer385]

I know there is a thread about it but how is the bridge at Oallen progressing?
Terry

 

[DrDuck]

Here's the latest news, Terry:

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=162360#p162360

 

[WalnLiz]

The sad part was that i had been to grabben gullen several times before that and found stuff all :8

Was it in the banker mate...????, and could it have been stuck deep in the matting from a previous trip to GG..???. Pulled the odd tiny garnet and 2 small diamonds from out that way, but never a sapphire in many many tons of river wash.

Certainly wouldn't put the Shoalhaven or the Mongarlowe on the list for gem locations. However, in saying that, there is some quite good looking Jaspers out there that make handsome cabs for the lapidary guys.

Wal.

 

[Heatho]

There supposedly is at Burrier, it's a long way downstream but still you never know exactly where they may pop up......... Could be a GG stone stuck in the banker though. I remember Headbut got one at Tuena as well. Anyway here's trhe deposit report I found.

208182 - Shoalhaven River Sapphire
(Shoalhaven River Sapphire Deposits)
Coords: -34.862409,150.424974
Mga_coordsys: MGA_56S
Mga_north: 6139190
Mga_east: 264604
Loc_method: 250K
Accuracy: 500
Grid_loc: general area
Major_comm: sapphire
Size_code: OCC
Comm_type: GEM
Met_prefix: Unknown
Geo_province: Sydney Basin
Metal_dist: not assigned
Op_status: never worked
Op_method: no workings
Lga: Shoalhaven
Sum_desc: Quaternary alluvium
Compiler: JR Reynolds 23/09/1998
Last_update: 1998-09-23
Occur_size: Occurrence only
Notes: Gold-sapphire-rich alluvial gravels in Shoalhaven River, rare gem quality zircons and topaz.
Commodities
sapphire MAJOR
zircon - gem MINOR
topaz - gem MINOR