Matt Betteridge, co-owner of Betteridge Sapphires in Central Queensland’s gem-rich mining region, was left in awe after unearthing a colossal 394-carat sapphire during a recent fossicking expedition. The discovery, made in the Reward area—a hotspot for valuable gemstones—came as a surprise to Betteridge, who was taking advantage of the region’s recent heavy rainfall to search for gems before conditions worsened.
In a video shared online, Betteridge can be seen manually digging when he suddenly exclaims, “Look at that! Wow! It’s getting bigger! I just want to see how big this thing is… Wow, look at that!” After pulling the sapphire from the ground, he described it as “huge” and expressed his disbelief at the find.
Speaking to Yahoo, Betteridge revealed that he had been casually walking through the gem fields when he spotted a glimmering object on the road. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was the massive sapphire, waiting to be discovered.
Despite the gem’s impressive size and rarity, Betteridge and his partner, Amber, have decided not to cut the sapphire. With an estimated commercial value of around $1,000, the couple believes the stone’s natural beauty and unique crystal structure are worth preserving. “Cutting it would be sacrilege,” Betteridge explained. “I prefer to keep it in its natural form.”
The Betteridges are no strangers to extraordinary finds. Earlier this year, their seven-year-old son, Riley, made headlines after discovering a 14.5-carat sapphire worth up to $10,000 just 200 meters from their home in Rubyvale. A video of Riley’s discovery went viral on TikTok, amassing nearly 3 million views. Viewers jokingly suggested that the young gem hunter had “earned a day off school” for his impressive find.
The Betteridge family continues to share their remarkable discoveries on social media, captivating audiences with their passion for gem hunting and the unexpected treasures hidden in Central Queensland’s rugged landscape.
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