Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Philipsburg, Montana
sapphiregarnet
Fee dig · Fee
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Rock Creek's gravels have been giving up sapphires since the 1890s, and Gem Mountain is the long-running way to work them without holding a claim. You buy a bucket of washed concentrate, screen it at a trough, and pick through the heavies - most stones come out pale blue, green, or straw and need heat treatment to bloom. Staff will look over your finds and quote heating and faceting on the spot.
The card catalog
| What you can find | sapphire, garnet |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee |
| Fees | $55 for the standard 2-gallon (roughly 25 lb) natural sapphire gravel bucket; larger jugs and party bags cost more. Washing equipment and staff help are included. |
| Season & hours | Mine site open May 20 to September 5, 2026, Wednesday through Saturday, opening at 9:30 a.m. The Philipsburg gallery downtown stays open seven days a week year-round. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Screening gravel at a water trough is light work and young eyes are an advantage. Call ahead at (406) 859-4367 to confirm gallery hours if you are arriving outside the mine season. |
| Official source | Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
More drawers in Montana
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Before you go
What does Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine cost?
$55 for the standard 2-gallon (roughly 25 lb) natural sapphire gravel bucket; larger jugs and party bags cost more. Washing equipment and staff help are included. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine open?
Mine site open May 20 to September 5, 2026, Wednesday through Saturday, opening at 9:30 a.m. The Philipsburg gallery downtown stays open seven days a week year-round. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine good for kids?
Yes — Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine works for families. Screening gravel at a water trough is light work and young eyes are an advantage. Call ahead at (406) 859-4367 to confirm gallery hours if you are arriving outside the mine season.