In Australia, sapphire is found in a number of east coast localities, from north Queensland to north-east Tasmania. The largest and most economic deposits are found in the New England area, New South Wales, around Inverell and Glen Innes, and in central Queensland, around Anakie and Rubyvale. 

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The New South Wales sapphire fields around Inverell and Glen Innes produce Australia's finest blue sapphires. A range of other colours also occurs, including green, yellow, orange and pink.

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Ruby is found at various sites in New South Wales, including the Macquarie and Cudgegong Rivers, Tumbarumba and the New England area. The most significant occurrence is near Gloucester, in the drainage of the Barrington volcano. The Barrington/Gloucester area has been fossicked and mined for gold, ruby and sapphire.

Rubies and pink sapphires are occasionally found in the New England area.