Black Cat Jewellery now in GOLD

Aussie Sapphire is proud to announce a new selection of products is now available in our exclusive range of Black Cat Jewellery – the finest gems now set in a limited number of pieces in 9k and 18k gold.

We have now produced a range of gold jewellery, traditionally handcrafted (not cast) using the best of our Reddestone Creek sapphires and black spinel. These items have not yet been listed online.

The range includes stud and drop earrings, fine gold rings and pendants. Details and photos will be posted on our website online shop as soon as possible – please email us if you want a sneak preview of any item. Our range of quality sterling silver jewellery will also be expanded. Please look for the BC hallmark on any of our jewellery items so you can be sure it is a genuine item from the Black Cat range.

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The photo above shows a 18k gold ring featuring a 1.17 carat Reddestone Creek sapphire (octagon cut in 3 prong setting). The is a design specially made to show off our Reddestone blue sapphire to its best advantage – the photo does not do it justice but is just a quick snap to give you a taste of what is available in our exclusive range of Black Cat Jewellery in gold. This fantastic gem shows heaps of blue sparkle from all directions – a classic example of the best sapphire Australia can produce.

The other exciting development is that Aussie Sapphire is cooperating with a local retail jeweller to offer these products direct to the public. We will be still operating our online shop so you can still purchase any of our items online at great wholesale prices for delivery anywhere around the world. However, for those of you who prefer to buy in a retail environment, this will very soon be possible at Schmidts Jewellers, Glen Innes. Stay tuned for more news on this front.

Cheers for now from Aussie Sapphire

Gold Coast Gem Show

Just a quick reminder that Aussie Sapphire will be attending the Gold Coast Gem and Craft Show tomorrow 25th June 2005. If you live in the region, this is a fantastic opportunity to see our own Reddestone Creek sapphire and black spinel as well as a range of other beautiful gemstones from Africa. These include spessartite garnet, tourmaline (mixed colour) and aquamarine of excellent quality – these will be available in the rough or as faceted gemstones with a selection made into fine jewellery (sterling silver and 9k gold). Something for every taste and every budget.

If you are a regular visitor to the blog or our main website, come up and say hello – we would love to chat with you.

We have not had an opportunity to list much new rough on our website lately – it seems it is going out as fast as we can dig it. However, we plan to sort through some of our recent production and list some new product for you to consider – please check back for news on this.

cheers for now from Aussie Sapphire

Aussie Sapphire News

Aussie Sapphire website upgrade
Regular visitors to our website may have noticed a search box has appeared below the navigation menu on the left hand side of some of our webpages. This new feature will allow visitors to search our entire website for any keyword of interest. We hope this wont discourage you from exploring all parts of our website as you browse through the various sections. However, for those people looking for something specific, we hope this will make it a little easier for you. Remember, if you have any other suggestions or comments on the website, please let us know – we do all the web design and maintenance ourselves so your feedback will help us do a better job.

Just reminding you all that we will be attending the Gold Coast Gem and Craft Show on the 25th June – lots of great rough to buy including our own sapphire and a selection of rare and beautiful gems from overseas. Will also be featuring some of our range of jewellery so see you there!

Geoscience Australia Open Day
The other interesting snippet of news is that anyone can have the chance of finding a Reddestone Creek sapphire simply by attending the Geoscience Australia Open Day. This free event hosted by Geoscience Australia is a great way to learn more about the field of geology through a range of exciting activities including rock identification, gold panning, sapphire sieving and the ever popular volcano-making. Take part in tours, demonstrations, science shows and quizzes. This day will be held on Sunday, August 21 2005 from 10am to 4pm at Geoscience Australia, Cnr Hindmarsh Drive and Jerrabomberra Ave, Symonston. Aussie Sapphire is very proud to help out by providing the raw material for the sapphire sieving demonstration and hope that you all have a great time learning about our industry. Let us know how you go!!

cheers for now from Aussie Sapphire

The Reddestone Creek

The surrounding land of Reddestone Creek has been one of the richest source of blue sapphire in Australia – well known for its high quality. This small creek which eventually flows into the Severn River and Pindari Dam is also home to a variety of wildlife and is the permanant water source for our farm. We aim to manage our farm and mining activities to keep the creek and the land in good condition. The creek is one of our favourite spots to play and birdwatching is sometimes rewarded with an occasional great photo.

A pair of black swans usually nest and hatch some eggs every year on the creek but this year decided to build their nest much closer to our main crossing. The female swan sat on the eggs through April and hatched them out mid May.

There are 2 surviving cygnets from about 5 eggs which seems to be the usual pattern each year. We took this photo yesterday (5th June) and they seem quite happy.

The old nest is now abandoned and the floating raft of reeds and grass is sinking into the water. While we were playing down at the crossing, we saw an unhatched egg floating along in the water which had come from the old nest.

Other birdlife often seen on and near the creek include wood ducks, rufous night heron, white faced heron, Pacific heron, sacred and straw-necked ibis, yellow-billed spoonbill, dusky moorhen, purple swamphen and plover. Redfin is the main fish caught by anglers along with yabbies. Sometimes if you are very quiet and lucky, you will see a water rat swimming in the water – although very shy, these animals have been seen at numerous spots along the creek.

cheers for now from Aussie Sapphire