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Fossicking

Fossicking is one of the favourite pastimes of rock hounds around the world, below are a few pictures taken on the Central Queensland Sapphire fields. The Pictures below  are all hand mining only, no machinery is used, the photos were taken close to Big Bessy designated fossicking fields

This picture is of the gem bearing wash, a hole is initially dug to expose the gem bearing wash, which is then

shoveled into buckets ready for the next procedure.

The buckets of wash are then thrown through this sieve, a bucket is placed at the bottom under,

between the two legs to catch  the finer wash, the larger rocks fall down the center chute as displayed in the picture.

This contraption is called a Willouby, it is used to to wash the dirt collected from the hole,

the bucket of dirt/wash is placed in a sieve, which goes into a cradle attached to the wooden handle,

using the handle you jiggle it up and down in a pulsating motion, this centers the sieve. All the

heavier material such as Ironstone and the much sort after Sapphires and Zircons to the middle making

it easier to sort through.

The next step is to flip the sieve onto a sorting table, flipping the sieve is very much like

flipping a cake out of the tin after baking. As you can see the darker area is the concentrate of the

heavier material ie: Ironstone and Gems.

Now all that's left to do is sort through the stones.

The Central QLD Gemfields is a very unique place, there are interesting sights all over, all visitors are welcome.

It is a very laid back type of lifestyle, but BEWARE!! once you taste the life of the Fields, you may decide

to stay longer.

For more interesting pictures of the Gemfields click HERE