Clifton Parr’s Golden Willow – Willows

Harold Clifton-Parr

Fit for a Queen 

Whilst recuperating from a bout of ill health after World War II, former salesman Harold Clifton-Parr whiled away the hours with friends on the Sapphire Gemfields, listening to old timers’ tales of fossicking. Soon after, in search of the stone of his dreams, he purchased an old ute, supplies, and a gun, before heading to the Willows Gemfields. 

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For 15 long months, Harold lived a spartan existence until in April 1952, he unearthed a 322-carat golden yellow which he named Golden Willow. 

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Harold declined several offers for the stone, which he always carried with him, even whilst showering. He was holding out in the hope of selling the magnificent piece to the Commonwealth Government for £6,000 for a coronation gift for Queen Elizabeth II. Harold was bitterly disappointed when Prime Minister Menzies told him the Queen had decided not to accept any gifts. 

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Harold eventually sold the gem to Brisbane businessman Michael Joseph McSweeny for slightly less; but still enough to pay for his own life-saving surgery due to a ruptured ulcer he’d suffered while negotiating the sale of the sapphire. He also sent his mother to England to see the Coronation. 

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The saga continues… 

Only days after returning from an unsuccessful trip to sell the rough stone in America, McSweeny was accidentally killed by a cyclist. Upon his death, the stone was purchased by an Australian syndicate who entrusted the Golden Willow to Ernest Bliss. Bliss took two months to cut a flawless 91.35-carat gem which was renamed Golden Queen, thus differentiating from famous Anderson’s Yellow, which once cut, became known as the Golden Willow.

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Location

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Where to next?

Welcome to Willows – ///spaced.printed.particularly

Green Sapphires – Willows – ///coupler.redeems.humiliated

Pacey’s Yellow – Glenalva – ///unveiling.immediate.control

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