OCCURRENCE OF PRECIOUS STONES IN N.S.W. 215 
stones, but only coloured stones were considered of any value, 
as the diamond was not eyen thought about. Gradually more 
interest was taken in the matter, for in the year 1860, the 
Rev. W. B. Clarke wrote an appendix to his “Southern Gold- 
fields,” entitled ‘“‘ New South Wales a Diamond Country.” At 
the date of writing a long list of gems are recorded as being 
found in this country, from the diamond, the king of precious 
stones, to the noble opal, which might aptly be called the queen 
of gems. 
From a commercial standpoint, precious stones may not have 
added much to the wealth of the country. None of the diamond 
mines have realised the high promise they once gave of a great 
industry. But we may safely say that New South Wales now 
produces. the finest noble opal in the world. 
In dealing with the precious stones of the Colony, as this paper 
is based for the most part on the writer’s own observations, I do. 
not propose to incorporate all the long lists of localities where 
gems are found, as given in Professor Liversidge’s valuable work 
on the Minerals of New South Wales. I propose to touch only 
on the places where I have some personal knowledge of the 
Occurrence of gems and precious stones. In one or two instances 
Some ten years have elapsed since I made my notes, but I have 
taken care that no new interpretation of facts has escaped notice. 
Imay add that the photographs that illustrate the paper are 
original, and are now issued for the first time. 
Previous OBSERVERS. 
1851, Diamond from the Turon identified by Stutchbury—Papers 
Relative to Geological Surveys, New South Wales, 1851, p. 39. 
1851, Topaz, Ruby, Garnet, Sapphire identified fees Stutchbury— 
Ibid, p. 38. 
1860. New South Wales a Diamond Country, Appendix C. to 
Southern Gold Fields, Rev. W. B. Clarke—Sydney, eee 
and Wellbank. . 
