Dazzling interest in Australian sapphires 💎♊ | ABC Australia

On holidays from Victoria, Cindy Kelly 'fell in love' with central Queensland’s Gemfields - so she stayed. The region covers almost 900 square-kilometres and is one of the largest sapphire-bearing areas in the world. She says sapphire prices have risen 10-fold over her 25-year career. But what is behind the 'growing interest and appreciation of Australian sapphires'?
Ms Kelly says the rise of social media marketing and globalisation has had a huge impact. Industry stalwart Ray Richardson says demand for Australian Sapphires has doubled, mainly due to African export bans on rough stones. Sapphire Caravan Park owner Victoria Bentham says she's been booked out months in advance with tourists hoping to strike it rich.
Story by Erin Semmler, ABC Capricornia​.
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[@cherieblossomarttravels]

Yey to the Aussie Sapphires, we are newbies to gem hunting world & just love them 💎💠💎

[@blacksorrento4719]

Australian sapphires definitely need more exposure. The Parti ones are quite beautiful.
I have been wearing a 2ct emerald cut Australian teal sapphire for 50yrs. Diamonds as a main stone don’t do anything for me, they can happily play second fiddle to my main event. Coloured gemstones are my forever.

[@goldcambodia]

Great admin!

[@Hasrat2020]

Wow this is so cool I love sappires

[@shanthapriyadarshana8269]

Thank you

[@jalbu8330]

Wow so interesting

[@mentor_first]

pls come to Sri Lanka buy high quality sapphire

[@hailstorm13]

Being from Australia I would prefer to support our local gem makers and community

[@SD._]

Everything in Australia is overpriced.

[@hailstorm13]

Buying locally supports these rural communities. I would rather wear a stone that is from the country I am from and love and I want to wear and support ethical