Sapphire reflections – signature art feature

“This sculpture has been designed to mirror the beautiful colours of the gemstones found in this locality and the round sieves used in their recovery. When a sapphire is unearthed, it is customary to hold the stone up to the sky to check the colour and clarity. Some people refer to this as skying the stone.”

Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse, Milne Stonehouse Artists

The idea for this signature art feature crystallised some years ago when a local group of community and business leaders, in conjunction with local government, wanted to grow the Sapphire Gemfields’ appeal as a destination along the Dig the Tropic geo-tourism trail. Dig the Tropic follows the Tropic of Capricorn, linking the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef to the mysteries of the Queensland Outback.

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One idea to emerge was the design and construction of a signature art feature to reflect the character of the Sapphire Gemfields – its people, history and industry. In 2016, Central Highlands Regional Council was successful in obtaining cofunding from the Australian Government’s Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) Program, administered by the Queensland Government’s Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and Commonwealth Games.

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How is a sapphire valued?

Lapidary is the art of cutting, faceting and polishing gemstones. The most common way of valuing diamonds uses the four Cs – carat, clarity, colour and cut. Sapphires are valued in much the same way, with more emphasis on the colour and carat size, and even the origin of the stone.

In early 2017, the design for this artwork was selected after a competitive process incorporating community consultation. The sculpture’s three circles are made of stainless steel and surround architectural glass fragments which have been imprinted with magnified images of real local sapphires in their rough and cut states. Some of these include the famous Tomahawk Tiger and Stonebridge Green. Follow the Sapphire Gemfields Geo-Interpretive Trail to Tomahawk Creek and Rubyvale to learn more about these beauties.

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Undertaken by artists Milne Stonehouse, the conceptual framework responded to miners’ clever use of silcrete billy boulders, the sieving process and the rich colours of the sapphires and zircons unearthed here in the Sapphire Gemfields.

Sapphire Reflections stands as a stunning focal point for the entire Sapphire Gemfields. We invite you to sit on the large billy boulders and admire the visual splendour of the coloured glass facets. We hope it inspires you to follow our Geo-Interpretive Trail to discover more about this intriguing place.

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Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse are artists with public artworks and gallery works spanning over 20 years in various Australian and international locations. They believe that public art speaks to the diverse character of each locale and is nurtured by the ongoing interaction by people within its influence. The signature of this sculpture is the local community and its continued invigoration of the Sapphire Gemfields whilst honouring the characters and the history.

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Some little gems:

In August 1985, the sapphire was named the official state gem of QLD.
The name sapphire was traditionally used for clear, blue corundum stones. Except for the red varieties, which are called ruby, it is now common to refer to stones of all other colours as sapphires.
The “four Cs” are often referred to when determining the quality and value of a gemstone. These are carat, clarity, colour and cut.

Why carats?

A carat is a metric unit of weight used to measure the size of all finished faceted gemstones. 5 carats are equal to 1 gram. Carat is also the term used to measure the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24-carat gold.

What colour are sapphires?

Though traditionally thought of as a deep royal blue, sapphires come in every colour of the rainbow. The Sapphire Gemfields is famous for parti-coloured stones. A parti sapphire means it contains two or more colours. Some people say, “part one colour, part another”. This area is also well known for vivid green, rich golden yellows and the renowned black star sapphires – learn more about those special stones in the Reward area near Rubyvale.

Fossicking & camping

Fossicking is allowed at Fossicking Areas and Designated Fossicking Lands but you must first buy a fossicking licence online at qld.gov.au or from authorised local agents.

Licences are not required at tourist mines and similar sites that charge an entry fee.

You will need a fossicking camping permit to camp in Fossicking Areas and Designated Fossicking Lands. These are available through the same outlets.

What’s the difference?

Fossicking Areas and Designated Fossicking Lands are both open to anyone with a current fossicking licence. While Areas are reserved exclusively for recreational use, Lands also permit commercial mining to take place nearby.

Location

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what3words

Download the what3words app to help you follow the Trail.
Here are the ///what3words identifiers for this location and for the three closest stops:

You are here: ///inner.invoked.haste

Where to next?

Welcome to the Sapphire Gemfields – ///buddy.loss.enticed

Anakie Hotel – ///charged.landline.connects

Welcome to Anakie – ///typecast.revisiting.bribe

Sapphire Reflections – Anakie