Shaw's Iolite Deposit, Spriggs Creek Bore (Spriggs Bore), Ambalindum Station, Harts Range, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Shaw's Iolite Deposit	Deposit
Spriggs Creek Bore (Spriggs Bore)	- not defined -
Ambalindum Station	- not defined -
Harts Range	Mountain Range
Central Desert Region	Region
Northern Territory	Territory
Australia	Country

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To access, take the track south immediately after the Entire Creek crossing on the Plenty Highway. Go 8.7 kilometres south to a low white quartz capped hill. Take the left fork track just before the Inkamulla Creek crossing, and go 7 kilometres. There are several minor creek crossings. You will arrived at a couple of sheds. Continue straight for a short distance to a T junction, turning left, and travel north-east another one kilometre approximately to the site.

There are two areas of diggings 300 metres apart, and a few pits between. Digging is required to find any material.

Iolite is the gem quality variety of cordierite. Iolite is found here in feldspar rich zones in a quartz-feldspar-mica rock. Look for layering of white feldspar with lilac coloured iolite, and continue following this in the hope of uncovering gem quality material. Dry sieving may be useful.

Also found is blue-green kyanite, with crystals up to 15 cms long in very coarse biotite schist lenses. It is unlikely these days material will be found on the surface, and digging will be required. Pink sugary ruby corundum may also be found in brown to black biotite. Also long needle like amphibolite crystals in a light coloured gneiss, in places bearing garnets.

Mineral List

3 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded