Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Buy a bucket of sapphire gravel and wash it at an outdoor trough with staff on hand, who then weigh and bag any rough sapphires you separate out.
The visit
Why it is worth the trip
Washing gravel and then deciding which rough stones are worth heat treating and cutting is the first real judgement call in the chain from deposit to gemstone.
Before you go
The site states that all equipment is provided at no additional charge and that rough sapphires are weighed and bagged free of charge, with a separate fee for gem-quality evaluation. Mine visits are first come, first served with a VIP section available for groups; there is no mobile signal at the mine, the wash trough is outdoors with little cover, and visitors are advised to bring a chair and shade if they need them.
Compiled from gemmountainmt.com, read on August 16, 2026.
Opening times, seasons and prices change, and we are not the operator. Confirm directly with the venue before travelling. We take no commission on any visit.