Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine

Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine Our Sapphire Mine produces some of the highest quality, diverse colored sapphires in the world. Hist Samuel T.
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In the late 1800's this portion of the Missouri River was dredge mined for gold. Hauser Montana's 7th territorial governor oversaw the mining operation. After hearing complaints from the miners about blue stones clogging the sluices he decided to collect some samples, and sent them to England. They were identified as sapphires, and were deemed worthless. During the Civil War (1861-1865) the miners

were able to continue dredging on the condition they were contributing to the war effort. They did this by collecting rounded sapphires, and hematite which were used as ammo. The mining operation was eventually halted due to the decline of gold recovery. It wasn't until the 1950's that the sapphires were unearthed once more. A supreme court judge by the name of Wesley Castles had purchased the land for recreational use for his family, and it was his youngest daughter Deb Castles who rediscovered the sapphires in the shallows on the Missouri River. Wesley Castles opened Castles Sapphire Mine to the public shortly after. The Montana sapphire started to gain in popularity during the 1970's, and in 1981 a rumor had spread about princess Diana's engagement ring being a Montana sapphire. People from around the world flocked to Montana in search of their own fortunes. In the 1980's Castles Sapphire Mine was renamed Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine after the gravel bar where the sapphires were deposited 30-40 million years ago. Today visitors can either mine their own sapphires from virgin banks, or buy concentrated gravel which has been run through a trommel and jig that classifies down the rocks by weight, and size which tends to have a higher yield than digging by hand.

New Service:Slabbing or Cutting Rocks. Up to 8 inch diameter. $10 per Cut
03/28/2026

New Service:
Slabbing or Cutting Rocks.
Up to 8 inch diameter.
$10 per Cut

Thank you to our veterans!
11/11/2025

Thank you to our veterans!

Congratulations to Carol and Dennis from Highwood, MT Clean 6.23ct found today in a Mother Lode Bag!
09/19/2025

Congratulations to Carol and Dennis from Highwood, MT Clean 6.23ct found today in a Mother Lode Bag!

Congratulations Amanda from Seattle, WA on this dark blue 15.29ct!
09/14/2025

Congratulations Amanda from Seattle, WA on this dark blue 15.29ct!

Congratulations Larry from Oklahoma! 15.32 CT sapphire from Mother Lode Bag.
09/10/2025

Congratulations Larry from Oklahoma! 15.32 CT sapphire from Mother Lode Bag.

York Fest will be September 20th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM The Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine will be donating a large gift bask...
09/03/2025

York Fest will be September 20th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM
The Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine will be donating a large gift basket filled with A Roadside Geology Book, gem bearing gravel from our Mother Lode Pit, Choco Boulders, Gold Pan, Gold panning Book, a Mystery Bag, Gem Kit, and a beautiful dark blue Missouri River Sapphire Pendant set in sterling silver.
Save the date! Help support the York Community.

Congratulations Scott and Laura from MN on this big clean 8.25ct platelet sapphire!
08/09/2025

Congratulations Scott and Laura from MN on this big clean 8.25ct platelet sapphire!

Congratulations William from WA on this beautiful dark blue 8.51 ct sapphire!
08/06/2025

Congratulations William from WA on this beautiful dark blue 8.51 ct sapphire!

Congratulations Bridget from Colorado on finding this massive green 15ct
07/11/2025

Congratulations Bridget from Colorado on finding this massive green 15ct

Congratulations Ena from Birmingham, Alabama on finding this big green 10.50 CT sapphire today from an El Dorado Bag! ...
06/13/2025

Congratulations Ena from Birmingham, Alabama on finding this big green 10.50 CT sapphire today from an El Dorado Bag!

Congratulations Mark and Constance from WA on finding a beautiful sky blue 13.21ct Missouri River Sapphire Today! ...
05/25/2025

Congratulations Mark and Constance from WA on finding a beautiful sky blue 13.21ct Missouri River Sapphire Today!

Address

5360 Castles Road
Helena, MT
59602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14062278989

Website

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