Hypnotized By Inverell Blue

Discovering New Sapphire Appreciation “Down Under”

- JENNI CLARK AND LEIGH TWINE

This story begins at a one-day event the local lapidary club I belong to hosts in August every year, in Atherton, Queensland, Australia.

It is an open-air market that features gem-dealers, lapidary suppliers, and booths showcasing everything related to rocks, minerals, crystals, and jewels. The participating vendors vary from professional gem-sellers who travel the country on the mineral and gem show circuit to “ma and pa” prospectors selling their lifetime of finds to raise money for a holiday to Canada.

We discovered this gathering a few years ago and haven’t missed an event since. Although the pocket certainly misses the money after we return home each year, with less currency but many newly acquired treasures. One particular stall at the show, run by a fellow named Gary, is one we return to every year. He sells faceted and rough gemstones from all over Australia, and imports stones not found in Australia. This little booth is like an Aladdin’s cave of color and sparkle that makes me mentally salivate.