Montana Gems of Philipsburg
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Gem shop at 201 West Broadway in downtown Philipsburg offering on-site outdoor sapphire mining with a seasonal water flume, plus gravel bags for at-home mining shipped nationwide. Operated by Anna and Gary Provost, the shop sells Montana sapphire gravel bags (from Rock Creek and other local sources), gold paydirt from Ruby Valley, complete mining kits, rockhound supplies, fossil bags, break-open geodes, and faceting services to turn found sapphires into jewelry. Kids enjoy the planted semiprecious stones and dinosaur teeth in the seasonal flume gravel. A Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice 2021 award winner with over 120 five-star reviews. Open daily 9 AM - 5 PM. Phone: (406) 859-4367. Also sells online at montanagems.net with free shipping on all orders.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Sapphires
Montana is the only significant sapphire source in the US. Yogo Gulch and Missouri River sapphires are world-renowned.
Also found at:
Garnets
Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.
Also found at:
Quartz Crystals
Clear, smoky, and rose quartz crystals are among the most common and rewarding rockhounding finds. Arkansas produces world-class quartz.
Also found at:
Agates
Banded chalcedony prized for their colors and patterns. Lake Superior agates, Fairburn agates, and Montana moss agates are especially famous.
Also found at:
Geodes
Hollow rocks lined with crystals. Iowa's Keokuk region is the Geode Capital of the World.
Also found at:
Fossils
From shark teeth in Florida to dinosaurs in Montana, the US offers world-class fossil hunting for all skill levels.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Montana
Crystal Park
Dillon, Montana · USFS
USFS fee site at 7,800 ft in the Pioneer Mountains. 220 acres reserved for rockhounding — dig for quartz crystals including clear, smoky, and amethyst...
Eldorado Bar Mine
Helena, Montana · Fee Dig
Private sapphire mine accepting summer reservations. Known for producing significant quantities of Montana sapphires alongside diverse other gemstones...
Garnet Ghost Town Gold
Garnet, Montana · BLM Land
Ghost town area with gold panning and garnet collecting in streams. Historic mining district open to recreational prospecting.
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Philipsburg, Montana · Fee Dig
Montana's premier sapphire mining destination. Unique blue-green Montana sapphires increasingly popular for engagement rings. Staff clean and assess y...
Sapphire Gallery
Philipsburg, Montana · Fee Dig
Jewelry gallery on Broadway in downtown Philipsburg offering indoor 'mining' for natural Montana sapphires year-round. Buy a bag of sapphire concentra...
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Helena, Montana · Fee Dig
Historic sapphire mine on Hauser Lake along the Missouri River. Visitors can dig for sapphires in the pit or buy sapphire gravel concentrate to sift t...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Montana Gems of Philipsburg with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35