Fossicking for Sapphires in the Vulcan State Forest, NSW

[@homarusgammarus8941]

Interesting video! Greetings from Norway.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Thanks! How are you going? This is the first video and I am constantly trying to refine them. Hope it is useful for those in Norway!

[@ophirdog]

Back in 1992, a Sapphire mining company from New England somehow obtained approval to mine at Sapphire Bend. There were claims of boosting the economy for Oberon and setting up cutting facilities which never eventualized. The mines followed the main run of the ancient water course, but left the less productive ground. And, as in the name "Sapphire Bend" the Bend is important.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

That’s interesting. I knew parts of that but not the full story. The question is: where is the bend?

[@ophirdog]

@@InSearchOf...Australia It has been a few years since I've been there. In the 80's a deep wash, about 12 feet down was worked by very keen fossickers. This wash was also worked by small scale mining sometime prior to this. The wash was located on the north side of Riverview Rd near the intersection with Sapphire Bend Rd. The miners in the 90's dug what was left of the deep wash, then worked south through what is the fossicking area today. The mining then veered in a SSW direction. Their wash plant was a few kilometres away on a private property.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Would be interesting to see if anything was missed (albeit doubtful).

[@TaraKenny-l7r]

Hi! Amazing video I just showed my boyfriend, we are camping at Oberon and heading to Vulcan state forest because I want to try find some Gems :)!!!! So helpful! So do all I need to buy is a gem pan sieve? Can I just buy a cheap one?

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Thanks, I’m glad it was useful. A gem sieve is the best way to find them but gold pans (when used correctly) can also reveal the gems as they are heavy. The difficult part about using just a gold pan and/or common household strainers is the removal of large unwanted gravel but it can be done. I believe you can hire sieves from the information centre in Oberon. Good luck! Tell us how you go.

[@geoffgeoff143]

If you need to use a pan it isnt worth finding.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

That is true...with the exception of gold ;)