Overview | Location | Cost | Time | Planning | Experience + Ratings | Extras | Missed Opportunities
Overview
It's gem of a time!
Sapphire collecting is exciting. Since the stones are gemy, and sparkle it makes for quite the experience to find one. These stops bookended our with our big Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, Spencer Opal, Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine adventure.
Since COVID many mines can no longer allow for digging in the mine itself, due to major increases in insurance costs. Some places have still made the "mining" experience possible with pre-loaded buckets or loads brought in to shovel from like Spencer Opal and Emerald Creek Star Garnets.
No experience necessary. They provide pre-filled buckets with running water sluice, tables and tools. Great experience and payout for the price. All you need is to show up and have fun. After you work your buckets they offer evaluation, heat treating and faceting services.
From Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine:
"Gem Mountain is family owned and operated, situated in a very accessible area for visitors who hurry by on their way to either Glacier or Yellowstone National Park. Searching for your own Gem Mountain Sapphires is FUN!"
Older and in the middle of nowhere outside of Helena, MT. Shack building store, with old clawfoot tubs filled with water for rinsing (this could be a cute set up but it ends up just being dirty) and some tools may be available if needed. Small payload for price and size of bags
From Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine:
"Visitors find sapphires in many colors at the Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine. Get your valuable gems before the deposits are all gone. Sapphire gravel is filled directly from the pits of Montana’s premiere sapphire mine – Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine & Gold Fever Rock Shop."
Location
21 MT-38, Philipsburg, MT 59858
5360 Castles Rd, Helena, MT 59602
Cost
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
The cost is very reasonable for the sapphire payout and overall experience at Gem Mountain. For us:
$70 - $35/bucket x 2
Total = $70 + gas
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
This is the much more expensive experience. The bags are about 30lbs so you get more per bag/bucket for your cost. In our experience the sapphire payout was not great enough for the overall cost and experience. For us:
$50 - Spokane Bar Bag
$75 - El Dorado Bar Bag
$100 - Motherload Bag
Total - $225 + Gas to get there
Online these prices are listed as higher.
Time Commitment
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
If you are going to the mine:
Drive time + approximately 1 hour/bucket (assuming only two people) + 30 min for evaluation (if they are not busy)
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
If you are going to sort your bags at the store location:
Drive time + approximate 1 1/2 hours/bag (assuming only two people)
Planning
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
If you are going to the mine you will need to plan accordingly being that it is only open seasonally.
You will also need to make an online reservation.
Bring water, sunscreen, snacks and meals if you are planning around a main meal time there are no options nearby.
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Bring water, sunscreen, snacks and meals if you are planning around a main meal time there are no options nearby
The Sapphire Experiences
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Ross's Rating: 10/10
Crystal's Rating: 10/10
From Ross (the Rockhound): I thoroughly enjoyed Gem Mtn. Great, friendly, helpful staff all around. Their pricing is what I would consider average for any rockhounding place. Super easy to find the sapphires in every single sift of material. Found lots of material with great color.
From Crystal (the Meathead): LOVED IT! Gem Mountain Sapphire was a fantastic experience for us both. They had reasonable prices for good sapphire payout. Beyond that, you could not top the incredible service. Welcoming and friendly, always offering to help you sluice (clean), or look through your material to make sure you know what you are looking for. Going out to the actual mine area was a pretty drive and in my opinion the only way to go!
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Ross's Rating: 5/10
Crystal's Rating: 5/10
From Ross (the Rockhound): While we did find sapphires, we didn't find nearly as many as we did at Gem Mtn. The shop and surrounding area was on the run down side of things. Clear that minimal effort is put forward to run this shop. Definitely overpaid for what little we were able to find.
From Crystal (the Meathead): You will find sapphires, we even found some tiny garnets but after a visit to Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, Spokane Bar was significantly overpriced, less nice and less exciting.
Trip Extras + Supporting Local
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
There is not much around but you can absolutely find local stores in Phillipsburg and Anaconda.
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Being located outside of Helena there are plenty of activities and shops to check out. They are also located on the Missouri River so if you plan to stay in the area a few days there are opportunities for fishing and boating on the river.
Missed Opportunities:
Would have spent more at Gem Mountain and way less at Spokane Bar (20/20 hindsight).