The Sapphire Gallery
Philipsburg, Montana
sapphire
Fee dig · Fee
The Sapphire Gallery
We list this for what it honestly is: a bag of Rock Creek sapphire concentrate and a washing trough inside a downtown storefront, not a dig site. It earns a place because it works when weather closes the mine road, and because the cutters on staff will tell you straight whether a stone is worth heating. Treat it as gem-sorting practice rather than fieldwork.
The card catalog
| What you can find | sapphire |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee |
| Fees | Sapphire concentrate is $45 a bag to wash indoors. Heat treating starts at a $24 minimum for stones up to 4 carats; faceting runs $45 for round brilliants and $50 for fancy cuts. Goldsmithing available. |
| Season & hours | Open year-round, Sunday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note it is CLOSED Saturdays - the one day travelers most often plan around. The reliable rainy-day and shoulder-season option when the mine roads are shut. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Indoor, warm, seated, and short. The easiest Montana sapphire experience for small children or for a family passing through Philipsburg in April. |
| Official source | The Sapphire Gallery (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.
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Before you go
What does The Sapphire Gallery cost?
Sapphire concentrate is $45 a bag to wash indoors. Heat treating starts at a $24 minimum for stones up to 4 carats; faceting runs $45 for round brilliants and $50 for fancy cuts. Goldsmithing available. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is The Sapphire Gallery open?
Open year-round, Sunday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note it is CLOSED Saturdays - the one day travelers most often plan around. The reliable rainy-day and shoulder-season option when the mine roads are shut. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is The Sapphire Gallery good for kids?
Yes — The Sapphire Gallery works for families. Indoor, warm, seated, and short. The easiest Montana sapphire experience for small children or for a family passing through Philipsburg in April.