New Zealand really has a lot of treasures, literally speaking – from Hobbiton to Lake Tekapo, and Gemstone Beach is no exception to this list of incredible places. It doesn’t matter if you are single or married, or if the kids are 5 or 15. It is a place for everyone, where you can enjoy the spare vacation day, a random Saturday, or any play date. Not only is the place extremely beautiful, but it also gives you the opportunity for an adventure, since Gemstone Beach actually gives reason for its name.
Yes, it is true. You can find gemstones at Gemstone Beach. At a sign posted next to the beach, it is announced that you can find several different sorts of precious stones. So, for the amateur geologist, the happy collector, or the excited kid, this is the perfect place to go. Take a roadtrip in New Zealand and experience the joy of finding a small treasure.
How to find Gemstone Beach NZ
Gemstone Beach is located along the road on the coast between Orepuki and Waihoaka. It is on the southwest side of New Zealand’s southern island. The bay where it is located is called Te Waewae Bay. Once you get in the vicinity of it, it’s easy to find since there are signs to guide you to the beautiful place.
Besides finding gemstones at this amazing spot, you might also have the chance of encountering some fascinating animals. Among other creatures making a home in these parts of New Zealand, you can find penguins. The bay is also home for some 25 other native species of birds, and occasionally you might be the spectator of orcas and humpback whales.
How to find gemstones on Gemstone Beach in NZ
It is easy to say that you will find a gemstone as soon as you go there, but it might be slightly trickier than that. So how do you find an actual gemstone on Gemstone Beach in NZ? Well, there are a few things that can make it easier.
- Weather and time of day
- Learning about stones
- Methods of identifying stones
Weather and time of day
Weather does matter. Gemstone Beach in particular is known to change scenery after a storm. One day it might be full of stones of different sorts, and other days, it is full of sand. Most likely you will always find something, but it might be harder on some days.
As for time of the day, it can also matter. At Gemstone Beach, NZ, you will find that the tide rises about 2 times each day. That gives a good amount of time to go there when it is half tide. That is recommended as the best time to visit. So check a weather and tide chart before visiting Gemstone Beach, NZ.
Learning about stones
Every stone has its own beauty. However, if you are looking for something more valuable to bring home, you might want to check up what gemstones are usually found at Gemstone Beach, NZ, and what they look like. Many gemstones hide within another stone, and you may have to do some work on it before it actually looks like a real gem.
Of course, you cannot learn everything about every stone. So it is better to narrow the knowledge to a few, more-likely-to-be-found stones. Some are, of course, more rare than others. To get you started, here is a short list of stones that can be found at Gemstone Beach:
- Hydrogrossular
- Jasper
- Garnet Sands
- Rodingite
- Epidote
- Fossil Worm Casts
- Idocrase
- Sapphire
Methods of identifying stones
There are several good ways of identifying a gemstone by its rough surface. You will find plenty of books and booklets, and even apps, that can help you to identify rough looking gemstones. It takes time to learn what a gemstone looks like before it is cut. But with some practice, you too will master the skill. This is the easiest and fastest way of identifying a gemstone. So get books from the library, download apps, scan the internet for pictures of gemstones in their rough, natural shape.
Use identification charts and compare the stones with these. Thoroughly study the surface for cracks. If you can see any other colours on the inside, it is worth checking out. See if there are any streaks of a different colour, like blue, peaking through the grey. This might mean that the inside of the stone is carrying something precious for you. Check the lustre under strong light. The way a stone reflects light is very important in identifying gemstones. The charts will guide you to what is worth bringing home.