Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Approximate — check official site before visiting
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 through on-site. Equipment provided. Also sells faceted gems, jewelry, and mining supplies. Open year-round, best Apr-Oct. Phone: (406) 227-8989. Hours: Thu-Sun 9am-5pm.
🪨 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.
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Garnets
Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.
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Diamonds
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the only public diamond-digging site in the world. Over 33,000 diamonds found.
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Topaz
Blue topaz is Texas's state gem. Utah's Topaz Mountain produces clear and sherry-colored crystals.
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Citrine
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Ruby
Red corundum, one of the world's most precious gemstones. North Carolina's Cowee Valley and Franklin area are known US sources for rubies found in public mining operations.
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📍 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
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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...
Montana Gems of Philipsburg
Philipsburg, Montana · Fee Dig
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-ho...
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...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine 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