Geophysics Lava Plains Sapphire Fields

Geophysics

Lava Plains Sapphire Gemfields

The smaller Lava Plains field differs markedly from the Anakie field in that the basalts that host the sapphires are very much in evidence on the field.

The field lies within one of several major basalt provinces in north-eastern Queensland, the McBride Basalt Province.

Sapphires occur in eruptive volcanics from a limited number of vents and are recovered from the eluvium, colluvium and alluvium within and adjacent to present day watercourses in the vicinity of the vents.

The sapphires occur in brown and black clayey soils containing vesicular basalt rock fragments and basalt cobbles and boulders.

Associated minerals found in the wash include zircon, ilmenite, olivine, hematite and feldspar.

The main areas mined are centred on Wyandotte Creek and Mines Hill.

SEE MAPS

genuine sapphire - made by nature

An Information Resource on the Australian Sapphire Industry

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