Bone also brought along unheated, un-treated sapphires and zircon, which his company sources from selected producers in the area west of Emerald, along the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland.
“Central Queensland gems are second to none,” Bone told the ABC. “Our boulder opals in particular can only be found in western Queensland, with sapphires being well known internationally as high in quality.”
Building on the consumer trend for ethical and sustainable gemstones, Bone emphasised Capricorn’s ability to trace every gemstone back to its origin mine.
“It's a movement that is taking effect in London and the UK, with the message to consumers being they need to hold the jewellery industry accountable in regard to where a product has been mined.”
As Jeweller reported back in November (‘Coloured Gemstones: A Spectrum Of Opportunities’), Australian coloured gems are seeing an increase in demand as consumers become more adventurous. The sector also presents an opportunity for better margins than in the more competitive diamond industry, as well as more creativity for designers.