Bringing you exquisite, ethically sourced Australian sapphires. Unearthed locally from our hand mine in Central Queensland.
Our Story
Wirrabarr Gems
What began as a simple 3-week holiday to the Gemfields in Central Queensland quickly turned into something much more meaningful. The peaceful charm of the Gemfields, paired with the thrill of gem hunting, sparked a passion we never expected.
We’re Kim and Mervyn, the proud owners of Wirrabarr Gems. After falling in love with the land and the lifestyle, we made the life-changing decision to stay and begin our journey into the world of sapphire mining. We started mining by hand at our claim in Divide, Rubyvale, and from the very beginning, our mission has been to keep things local, ethical, and deeply personal.
Our sapphires are mined by hand, no large machinery, just patience, persistence, and a love for what we do. Every gem tells a story, and every piece of jewellery we create reflects the beauty of this region and the hard work behind it.
In late 2024, my daughter Alicia and her partner Jake followed their own calling and made the move to join us here in the Gemfields. Just a few months later, in May 2025, our family grew again with the beautiful arrival of their daughter Iyla, my first grandchild and a bright light in our lives.
Wirrabarr Gems is truly a family venture, rooted in love, discovery, and the rich earth of the Gemfields. When you shop with us, you're not just buying a piece of jewellery, you're becoming a part of our story.
Sapphires
Australian sapphires are among the most unique and diverse in the world, celebrated for their exceptional hardness, durability, and rich colour variations. Mined primarily in Central Queensland, including areas like Rubyvale where we operate, these sapphires are naturally formed deep within the earth over millions of years. While deep royal blue is the most well-known colour, Australian sapphires also occur in a stunning range of shades including green, teal, yellow, parti (a beautiful mix of two or more colours in one stone), and even rare pinks and purples. Each sapphire is completely natural and unique, making it a one-of-a-kind treasure that reflects the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape.
Zircons
​Australian zircons are natural gemstones admired for their incredible brilliance, fiery sparkle, and earthy beauty. Found alongside sapphires in the Gemfields region of Central Queensland, these gems have formed deep within the earth’s crust over billions of years. Though often mistaken for cubic zirconia, their synthetic counterpart, natural zircons have a distinct charm all their own. They come in a stunning array of colours, including golden honey, warm browns, bright champagne, orange, green, and even rare colourless or pastel shades. Each zircon we uncover is completely natural and unheated, a genuine reflection of Australia’s ancient geological landscape and a unique addition to any jewellery piece.
