Fossicking in Tasmania

[rooster]

Have just returned from a week's sapphire fossicking in NE Tasmania. Found one nice parti in the Weld River opposite the golf course. Some small topaz also discovered. Beautiful rivers and country generally. We stayed at Branxholm at the Tin Dragon Cottages.

[Capt. Mendoza]

Sound like fun, what was the size of the sapphire?

incidentally, I managed to pick up a nice looking 1ct cut blue coloured gemstone from tassie. Was told it was a blue spinel but as yet to test if this is so...

Has anyone found a blue spinel from tassie before???

[Lapis Lupinus]

Blue spinel Capt'n!! That would be a find-and-a-half if it is confirmed. Never heard of any spinel, in Oz, being found apart from blackjack.

[Capt. Mendoza]

Think I need to brush up on my science testing abilities ..
Best case its sapphire or spinel, worse case - glass

[rooster]

Size of sapphire was 2.5 cts

[Wolfram]

the rule i use is if its blue and in NE tas its a sapphire. Could always do specific gravity test.