Hillcrest Gems

Hillcrest Gems Natural untreated ethically mined Sapphires direct from our mine to you. Follow our new journey as we set up a new mine from scratch 2025

03/06/2026

Today is interrupted by this beauty. 22 carat Sapphire.
This is what keeps us motivated to keep going.

13/05/2026

Starting off the 2026 season with a quick look around the outside of the claim and processing plant

2026 Season has now started. Let the adventure begin
11/05/2026

2026 Season has now started.
Let the adventure begin

29/11/2025

A look underground at our new claim this is the result of a few months digging. Looking promising already

25/10/2025

Sapphire vibes for a Saturday.
Some of our recent finds. Got to love the variety of colours. I'm in love with the yellow

18/10/2025

Had the privilege of seeing where and how the VJ faceting machines are precision made and shipped all over the world. Top machines for faceting our gemstones and personalised service to back them up. Absolutely stunning set up. Thanks team for showing us around.

09/10/2025

Out with the old and in with the new.
Exciting day with new boots arriving. All ready for next season.
The side zips are a deal breaker for me making life so much easier (no more re tying the laces endlessly each time I take them off)


We've had a few questions about the winch system used to bring up the heavy billy boulders from 42ft underground.The fir...
15/09/2025

We've had a few questions about the winch system used to bring up the heavy billy boulders from 42ft underground.
The first winch used was a cheaper lightweight system that overheated after a few runs and was quite slow.
Lesson... if at all possible get the best quality equipment you can afford the first time and do it once.
This winch is from and is set up on a home made solid gantry that pivots to allow the bucket to swing clear of the shaft. Can also swing onto the back of a trailer or ute.
Details and specs in photos below.
Rob Mcalister

Thought we would head off for a few days and then boom...hit a good patch of wash day before we left. 145cts in total wi...
22/06/2025

Thought we would head off for a few days and then boom...hit a good patch of wash day before we left. 145cts in total with a few nice clean gems amongst it.

27/04/2025

This is what 40feet underground looks like.

We have started to bell out the new shaft this season. This process is tricky as the new shaft is aprox 900cm round all the way down and needs to be dug (belled) out so you can move freely once you get to the bottom.
To do this you need to stand in the bucket and dig enough of a space around you so you can get out of the bucket to fill it up.
Also a lack of free flowing air makes it stuffy and hot until you get enough space to get a fan or blower in place to recirculate air through the space.
Result...grazed knuckles...sweat and a lot of hard work has now opened the space up enough to work freely inderground.
Bonus result...on the Sapphire bearing wash already

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Rubyvale, QLD

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