A Prolific Sapphire Region
It’s a small wonder that more and more people are flocking to Glen Innes Highlands to fossick.
We're part of the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales, which has the world’s richest mineral diversity belt.
It’s internationally famous for deep rich, royal blue sapphires.
Fossicking is easy, cheap, no licence is needed in NSW (unless you intend to fossick in a state forest, in which case you will require a permit), and it’s a fun activity for the whole family – with the prospect of glittering rewards.
Emmaville Mining Museum
If you're fossicking in the area of Emmaville or Torrington, it's a good idea to stop into the Emmaville Mining Museum to seek local knowledge on fossicking in the area.
The museum houses incredible gem and mineral collections that are well worth viewing.
Out the back is Foley’s General Store Museum, a replica blacksmith’s shop, an old wood-fired bakery, and a machinery shed filled with old mining equipment.
There’s also the interior of a hessian-lined miner’s hut, a collection of over 400 photographs of the old mines, miners, and the Emmaville community, a beautiful collection of 1,500 bottles and a display of military memorabilia and tributes.
Local Merchants
Located at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre, you'll find Reddestone Sapphires, offering an exclusive range of cut and polished, high-quality natural sapphires. Highly regarded in the Gemstone industry around the world, they stock a beautiful range of 18-carat, 9-carat and sterling silver jewellery. If you'd like to create your own masterpiece, they have a variety of loose sapphires and allow you to select your design so they can fit it to your unique style.
Glen Innes is also home to Aussie Sapphire Lapidary Warehouse, an online lapidary business with a large range of supplies, whether you work with rock, glass or metal, they've got the products and advice you need.
Minerama Fossicking, Gem & Jewellery Show
Minerama Fossicking, Gem & Jewellery Show in Glen Innes is NSW’s largest annual gem and jewellery show, attracting visitors and dealers from all over Australia.
Minerama is perfect for all gem and jewellery lovers, rockhounds and outdoor adventurers. A program of guided fossicking field trips to suit both beginner and experienced gem hunters provides an opportunity to search for buried treasure in Glen Innes Highlands.
With a diverse range of indoor and outdoor stalls trading in gemstones, fine jewellery, facet rough, lapidary tools & supplies, crystals, beads, fossils, mineral specimens, arts, crafts and more. Whether you are after a two-dollar bargain, a gemstone of world-class quality, or a unique piece of jewellery, you’ll find it at Minerama!
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Acknowledgement of Country
Glen Innes Highlands acknowledges and pays respect to the Ngoorabul people as the traditional custodians of this land, their elders past, present and emerging, and to Torres Strait Islander people and all First Nations people.
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