Finding My LARGEST Sapphire EVER!

In the late 19th century, Tasmania’s north-east was alive with the sound of tin miners at work. They carved channels, sluiced hillsides, and built whole towns on the back of cassiterite — the dark, heavy ore that drove fortunes in the tin trade. But in their haste, something remarkable slipped through their sluice boxes: sparkling treasures of zircon, topaz, and sapphire, overlooked and lost to time. Over two days, I team up with renowned gem specialist Des Grey to retrace those historic mining grounds and search for the gems the old timers missed. From hand-digging and sieving gravel, to underwater sniping with mask and snorkel, we’ll test every technique to uncover the hidden patches of spinel, topaz, and sapphire still waiting in the creeks. Along the way we uncover the history of Tasmania’s tin rush — from rough prospectors in the 1870s to massive operations like the Anchor at Lottah and the Briseis at Derby in the 1880s and 90s, which employed hundreds and shaped entire communities. Today, we follow in their footsteps, searching in the same fern-clad gullies and rainforest creeks. ---------------- Join my Patreon :   / robparsons   Bushbuck Clothes & Camp Gear: https://www.bushbuck.com.au Minelab Manticore Detector: https://www.minelab.com/metal-detecto... Aussie made Tyger Digging Tools: https://tygerstainlesssteel.com.au My Hammock Setup: https://www.altongoods.com.au My Packraft (Mule Alpacka): https://www.packraftaustralia.com.au Aussie made Sleeping Bags: https://nevegear.com.au email: [email protected]