Black Star House – Rubyvale

Original Spencer cottage prior to construction of Black Star House
Black Star House
Black Star House

In the early 1920s, Harry Spencer and his bride, Emily Bradford, settled in the Sapphire Gemfields and raised three sons: Tom, Lance, and Roy. It was Roy who famously discovered the Black Star of Queensland in 1938. 

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A rumour spread that the giant rough sapphire was used as a doorstop, implying the family didn’t know its value. In truth, Harry was a respected gem dealer and the Australian agent for the Kazanjian Brothers of the USA. 

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The doorstop story came from a visit by Brisbane gem dealer Mr E.A. Heiser, who offered a ridiculously low price. Harry tossed the stone to the floor, saying, “At that price, I might as well use it as a doorstop!”

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Gloria mining underground
Letter from Windsor Castle
Genstone mosiac

Years later, another chapter in this home’s story began. During a 10-day holiday to the Sapphire Gemfields, Gloria Saunders, her husband, and their five sons fell in love with the lifestyle. Within six months, they had moved to the region and were mining their own claim, the King Solomon.

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Two years on, the Saunders family purchased the Black Star House. Gloria continued mining and began creating gemstone mosaics with the tiny pieces she collected. Her works depicting the Royal Family earned acknowledgement from Buckingham Palace and later led to an invitation to exhibit at the Gem and Mineral Expo ’82 in Brisbane during the Commonwealth Games.

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Her reputation continued to grow when she presented a mosaic of the Queensland Coat of Arms to the Emerald Shire Council. Within a month, she was commissioned by the Council and the Gemfields Lioness Club to create a gemstone map of Queensland. The finished artwork was presented to the Minister for Mines during the launch of the new Fossickers Licence in April 1986 and displayed in Parliament House.

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Learn more about the famous Black Star of Queensland on the panel at Sultana Hill, Reward.

Location

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Welcome to Rubyvale – ///autopilot.assumes.meadow

May Shepherd – Rubyvale – ///faxes.decimal.required

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