05/08/2026
Gemstones Around the World | Part 3: Australia & New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are known for some of the world’s most unique gemstones, from Australia’s famous opals and Argyle diamonds to New Zealand’s distinctive nephrite jade, also known as pounamu.
Of course, this map doesn’t show every gemstone deposit in the region. We’ve highlighted some of the best-known gemstone localities and the gemstones they are most closely associated with.
One of Australia’s most iconic gemstones is opal. In fact, around 90–95% of the world’s precious opals are mined in Australia, with Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy being among the country’s most famous mining regions.
Questions about gemstones, origins or mining regions? Feel free to send us a DM or leave a comment below.
Source: Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann.
