A Queensland man has made a fortuitous discover after recognizing a glittering rock that turned out to be a treasured gem “the scale of a small kid’s fist”.
In video uploaded to TikTok, Matt Betteridge could be heard exclaiming “Holy Dooley” when he releases the massive gem from the earth. He declares it to be a “monster” 834 carat sapphire.
Talking to 9news.com.au, Betteridge mentioned the discover left him in absolute shock.
”We’re normally on the lookout for sapphire the scale of a fingernail and to search out one this dimension is unreal,” he mentioned, revealing the gem has an estimated value of about $12,500.
“My response was disbelief and (we’re) completely stoked.
“For now we’ll hold it as a specimen till we resolve to promote it – or (get) a proposal we won’t refuse.”
Betteridge uncovered the gem in Rubyvale, close to Emerald, which is likely one of the world’s largest sapphire-bearing areas.
He mentioned the heavy rain that is been bearing down on the east coast over the previous few months have made the sapphires simpler to search out.
Days earlier than he uncovered the 834 carat rock, he made one other spectacular discovery; a 359 carat sapphire.
On the time that was the most important sapphire he had discovered, however little did he know the report could be damaged days later.
Betteridge revealed what potential prospectors ought to look out for ought to they be tempted to attempt their luck on Queensland’s gemfields.
“Search for your darker stones … they type of stand out.
“You do get an eye fixed for them finally.”
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