Montana is called the Treasure State because of its beautifully rich mineral reserves. When you visit the charming town of Philipsburg, you can take matters into your own hands and mine your own sapphires. And if you’ve ever seen a Montana sapphire, you know just how special they are.

Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is the oldest of its kind in Montana.

Middlekid54 / TripAdvisor The mine is located 22 miles west of Philipsburg in the appropriately named Sapphire Mountains.

Why buy your sapphires when you can mine your own?

Rebecca H / TripAdvisor This mine has produced over 180 million carats of sapphire for over 120 years.

These days, sapphire mining is much easier than it used to be.

Joshua M / TripAdvisor You used to have to bring all your own equipment and do all of the dirty work. Now, the team at the mine digs through the dirt for you and gives you the big buckets of gravel. No one goes through the gravel before you, so you have just as good of a chance at finding large sapphires in the gravel as anyone else.

wendy r / TripAdvisor

Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is only open from May - September, so if you haven’t gone yet this year, you may have to wait…

Gem Mountain Facebook

… but the retail store on Broadway in Philipsburg is open all year long for any sapphire needs that arise.

Gem Mountain Facebook

The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is one of many amazing one-of-a-kind experiences every Montanan should try.

Middlekid54 / TripAdvisor

The mine is located 22 miles west of Philipsburg in the appropriately named Sapphire Mountains.

Rebecca H / TripAdvisor

This mine has produced over 180 million carats of sapphire for over 120 years.

Joshua M / TripAdvisor

You used to have to bring all your own equipment and do all of the dirty work. Now, the team at the mine digs through the dirt for you and gives you the big buckets of gravel. No one goes through the gravel before you, so you have just as good of a chance at finding large sapphires in the gravel as anyone else.

wendy r / TripAdvisor

Gem Mountain Facebook

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