During the late 1980’s, Australia was the world’s leading producer of sapphires supplying up to 70% of the world market by volume. Although this has decreased in recent years with new gemfields being opened up around the world, sapphire production in New South Wales is still a significant industry with production in 2001-02 valued at about $3 million (Mineral Resources NSW). Almost all commercial mining of sapphires in NSW takes place in the New England region in the north east of the State. Sapphires were first discovered in this area 150 years ago. The New England field is centred around the townships of Inverell and Glen Innes. There is significant production out of Kings Plains, near Inverell. Lonewood Mine is the only commercial miner now operating on Reddestone Creek, Glen Innes. The Reddestone Creek resource has been known for its quality since commercial mining commenced in the 1950’s. As the only miner left operating this reserve, opportunity is limited to secure these increasingly rare sappires. The rarity and value of these beautiful gems will only increase as this resource is fully utilised. In the New England field, sapphires are recovered predominantly from Tertiary alluvial and volcaniclastic deposits. Larger high quality sapphires may be processed locally, but most of the lower grade sapphires (the bulk of production) are exported uncut to Thailand where they are processed, cut and marketed. Much of this sapphire loses its Australian identity during this process - the reputation of Australia as a producer of high quality sapphire has often not been actively promoted. The practice of some within the industry to refer to Reddestone stone, in particular, as “Kanchanaburi’ or “Ceylon” colour after mining sites in Thailand and Sri Lanka with similar coloured stone can lead to confusion over the origin of this very rare blue sapphire from the New England, NSW. | 
