LOCATIONS TO FIND GEMSTONES AND MINERALS IN
NEW SOUTH WALES

When submitting info on locations try and be specific where you can like:

  • Distance in kilometres from nearest town.
  • List and name the turn offs.  
  • Distance betweens actual turn offs.
  • On the road to and from.
  • Supply some photos of what you've found and the area itself.
  • A description of any familiar landmarks.  
  • Tools required to suit the area.
  • Supply a mud map if you can.

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to ask permission from any private property
owner at any location when searching for gemstones before you enter any such
property. You may also be required to possess a fossicking license as per state laws.
NEW SOUTH WALES
GEMSTONE LOCATIONS
Malachite

Polished and set into a hand
made silver setting.
Free Form Silver

There are no limits when
designing jewelry.
Opals

Cut and cleaned ready for
shaping into designs.
Ameythst

A piece of rough geode set in
silver.
Amber

This fossilized tree resin is
millions of years old.
Soldering Silver

Making a ring from sterling
silver.
Cabachons

The cabachon design is the
most widely used in jewelry.
Making Jewelry

Combining jewelry and gems
is an age old art.
Gemstones

Once polished they can be
set into jewelry.
Coober Pedy Opal Fields
South Australia.
MUD MAPS - The following maps are extremely old and many of these areas may
no longer be available to search on or they may no longer yield any finds. I suppose if
you're in these areas it may be worth a search around anyway. Most of these maps will
have two locations on each. Click on them to enlarge and print out if you want. Ensure
you get permission first just in case these areas are closed now.

If you have any other location maps open to the public for fossicking please email them
to me and I'll add them. Please state if they are permission required areas so I can add
that to the listing.
Chillingham
Ameythst
Tyalgum Creek
Agate, Jasper ...
Hopkins Creek
Agate....
Limpinwood
Chalcedony...
Hogarth Range
Labradorite
Perch Creek
Thunder Eggs.
Torrington
Smoky Quartz....
Blatherarm
Creek - Topaz
Mynion Falls
Honey Opal
Kyogle
Calcite
Doon Doon
Stannifer
Quartz Crystals
Kingsgate
Mines
Quartz Crystals
Molybdenite
Inverell
Sapphires
Mount Hope
Crystals
Tingha Map
NSW Towns
Elsmore
Metallic Mines
Major Mines
Coal Fields
White Cliffs Opal
Locations
Crookwell
Location To Find - Malachite, Azurite & Quartz Crystals.

Directions: Go to Mount Hope in NSW. I first went to Mount Hope in
about 1968 and there was a working copper mine in the center of town.
They used to collect the copper by leaching water through the mine and
it attached itself as copper oxide to sheet metal scraps in large tanks
above the mine.
Its been filled in now. You can still find some Malachite, Azurite and some
quartz crystals with inclusions in them if you're lucky. I think there may be
a gold mine nearby but no access was allowed when I was there last.

You'll see remnants of the old mine and all you can do is search around
that area for specimens and perhaps a little cutting material.
My last trip through there was in 2006 and I still found some good stuff.  
You wont miss the area as it's a town the size of a few car lengths if you
know what I mean. Its a beautiful area though and it's worth a stop, some
lunch and a bit of a fossick. A hand pick should be all you need for this
spot.  

I didn't find any crystals on this last trip there but in the past I had found
Quartz Crystals with Copper inclusions in them.
          Tips & Safety On Field Trips

  • Take every precaution while on field trips like making sure you have the right gear like gloves,
    boots, drinking water and basic supplies.
  • Fill in your holes after digging and beware of overhanging rocks and ledges that could collapse
    while digging below.
  • Don't go into old mine shafts as most are unstable and air quality can never be guaranteed.  
  • Always wear safety glasses when breaking or chiselling on rocks.
  • Watch out for snakes and spiders because as a rock hound you're more prone to finding these
    critters than others.
  • Always close gates after you and always take your rubbish home with you if there isn't a proper
    place to leave it.
  • Always tell someone where you are before you leave in case something goes wrong!
  • Always have a first aid kit close by.
  • If you haven't been to an area before draw yourself a map or have a map with you so you don't
    get lost. Mobile phones don't work everywhere!
  • Wear a good hat and sunscreen so you don't get sunburnt.
  • Never forget: FOOD, SNACKS, DRINKS & MEDICATION.



Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to ask permission from any private property owner at any location
when searching for gemstones before you enter any such property. You may also be required to
possess a fossicking license as per state laws.

Safety In The Workshop

  • Don't have loose clothing around any moving machine parts and keep guards on equipment at
    all times.
  • Wear safety glasses while grinding and using any pickle or acid compounds.
  • Wear a filter face mask if required.
  • Don't spill water on any electric motors. Electricity and water don't mix.
  • Keep fingers and hands clear of sharp moving parts.
  • Wear rubber gloves if handling any acids or pickling solutions.
  • Use tweezers when handling hot soldered jewelry.
  • Have a first aid kit near by at all times.