Variations - Jade is either nephrite or jadeite. Jadeite has is slightly harder, takes a higher gloss polish (glassy) and can be grey (most common and least valuable), green, orange, lavender, yellow, or white. It is graded with the same criterion as a gemstone, with emerald green being comparable in value to an emerald.

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Saphires - Australia is not only known for its opal and diamonds. The country also has many mining fields where sapphire can be found.

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Madagascar - Australia became the largest sapphire producer in the world at one point, but it has since been replaced by Madagascar.

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Various colours - Australia sources its sapphire from two main fields in New South Wales and Queensland. The blue variety of sapphire is the most common gemstone offered in jewellery stores. However, sapphire is actually available in various colours.

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South Sea pearls - South Sea pearls are found in Australia’s northern waters.

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Harvesting - Commercial harvesting of pearls started way back in the 19th century. Harvesting mostly took place in Queensland and Western Australia.

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Varieties - Pearls are also harvested nearby Darwin within the Northern Territory. Australian pearls are fine gemstones that can be found in various shades such as cream, gold, and pink. You can also find silver varieties.

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Chrysoprase - The Chrysoprase from Australia (mainly from Marlborough, QLD) is so fine that it is often mistaken for Jade.

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Sneaky - It is not uncommon to see Chinese buyers on the fields buying Chrysoprase to take back to China to sell as Jade.

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Name - Some of the locals actually give it the nickname ‘Australian Jade’.

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Fun facts - Alexander the Great wore one on his girdle during all his battles. It was a particular favourite of Frederick The Great of Prussia, who loved its bright green colour. Unlike most other green stones, which owe their colour to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase derives its colour from nickel.

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Types - There are different kinds of opal that can be found in Australia such as boulder opal, matrix opal, black opal, crystal opal and white opal.

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Land of opal - More than 90% of the worlds opals are found in Australia.

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Where to hunt for opals - Some of the most popular mining towns in the country are Lightning Ridge, Andamooka, and Coober Pedy.

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Jewellery - Opals found in the fields are carefully polished to turn them into exquisite pieces of jewellery.

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Price -

Generally opals with a black or dark body tone are more valuable than those with a white, light, or crystal body tone, because a stone with a darker body tone tends to display colours more vibrantly.

Black opal is the most prized opal and may realise prices over $15,000 a carat.

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Aussie diamonds - A lot of diamonds in Australia are sourced from the Argyle diamond mine located in Western Australia.

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Largest - The Argyle diamond mine is the world’s largest diamond producer by volume.

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Beauty - Australian diamonds and Australian opals are sometimes used together in jewellery to create a lustrous blend of natural gemstones.

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Pink - Australia is also the most outstanding source for expensive pink diamonds as well as, sparkling wine and cognac tones.

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Jade -

As well as being a pretty girl's name, this gem is a beautiful colour.

Australia is renowned for producing stunning green jade.

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Variety - The green variety is the most common gemstone offered in stores, but jade is available in various colours as well.

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Knife - Jade is a tough gemstone that was used to carve knives and weapons in ancient times. It also has been used to make small jewellery and other decorative purposes.

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