Where to find sapphire in the U.S.

Most recreational U.S. sapphire hunting is fee-dig gravel in Montana and a handful of public or managed digs. Expect small stones more often than jewelry-grade gems — and verify hours and keep rules before you go.

Public gem mining guide Gemstones type hub Sites near me

76 directory listings mentioning sapphire.

Sapphire rockhounding map

Pin map of directory listings that mention sapphire.

76 sites with coordinates

Sapphire rockhounding sites

GPS-backed directory listings — open each card for access notes and coordinates.

Calumet Iron Mine — amphibole rockhounding site near Colorado, CO

AmphiboleCO

Calumet Iron Mine

Calumet Iron Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near CO. Reported specimens include Amphibole, Chalcopyrite, Corundum, Epidote, Pyrite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesColorado

Chalk Creek Gravels — sapphire rockhounding site near Colorado, CO

SapphireCO

Chalk Creek Gravels

Chalk Creek gravels is a documented mineral occurrence near CO. Reported specimens include Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesColorado

Litchfield — corundum rockhounding site near Connecticut, CT

CorundumCT

Litchfield

Litchfield is a documented mineral occurrence near CT. Reported specimens include Corundum, Pyrite, Staurolite, Talc. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesConnecticut

Norwich — corundum rockhounding site near Connecticut, CT

CorundumCT

Norwich

Norwich is a documented mineral occurrence near CT. Reported specimens include Corundum, Sillimanite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesConnecticut

Alec Mountain — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Alec Mountain

Alec Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum, Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Autry Mill Nature Preserve — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Autry Mill Nature Preserve

Autry Mill Nature Preserve is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Chatuge Lake — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Chatuge Lake

Chatuge Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum, Garnet, Kyanite, Quartz, Rutile. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Elf — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Elf

Elf is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Gumlog Mountain — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Gumlog Mountain

Gumlog Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum, Kyanite, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Hard Labor Creek — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Hard Labor Creek

Hard Labor Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum, Rutile, Pink Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Laurel Creek Mine — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Laurel Creek Mine

Laurel Creek Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Thomaston — kyanite rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

KyaniteGA

Thomaston

Thomaston is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Kyanite, Mica, Citrine, Corundum, Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Trap Rock Gap — corundum rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

CorundumGA

Trap Rock Gap

Trap Rock Gap is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Corundum, Ruby. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Orofino Creek — gold rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

GoldID

Orofino Creek

Orofino Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Gold, Sapphire, Epidote. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Ruby Meadows — corundum rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

CorundumID

Ruby Meadows

Ruby Meadows is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Corundum, Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Silver City — corundum rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

CorundumID

Silver City

Silver City is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Corundum, Purple Garnet, Red Garnet. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Stanley — corundum rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

CorundumID

Stanley

Stanley is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Corundum, Gold, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Brown County — corundum rockhounding site near Indiana, IN

CorundumIN

Brown County

Brown County is a documented mineral occurrence near IN. Reported specimens include Corundum, Quartz, Topaz, Diamond. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIndiana

Highland Creek — brown sapphire rockhounding site near Indiana, IN

Brown SapphireIN

Highland Creek

Highland Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near IN. Reported specimens include Brown Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIndiana

Morgan County — quartz rockhounding site near Indiana, IN

QuartzIN

Morgan County

Morgan County is a documented mineral occurrence near IN. Reported specimens include Quartz, Corundum, Topaz, Diamond. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIndiana

American Bar — sapphire rockhounding site near Montana, MT

SapphireMT

American Bar

American Bar is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Sapphire, Cassiterite, Chalcedony, Garnet, Gold, Kyanite, Limonite, Topaz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Brown’s Gulch — sapphire rockhounding site near Montana, MT

SapphireMT

Brown’s Gulch

Brown’s Gulch is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Dry Cottonwood Creek — sapphire rockhounding site near Montana, MT

SapphireMT

Dry Cottonwood Creek

Dry Cottonwood Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Frying Pan Basin — corundum rockhounding site near Montana, MT

CorundumMT

Frying Pan Basin

Frying Pan Basin is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Corundum, Opalized wood, Silicified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine — sapphire rockhounding site near Philipsburg, MT

SapphireMT

Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine

Commercial sapphire gravel operation near Philipsburg where visitors wash concentrate for Montana's famous pastel sapphires.

Fee requiredPhilipsburg

Magpie Gulch — green sapphire rockhounding site near Montana, MT

Green SapphireMT

Magpie Gulch

Magpie Gulch is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Green Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Missouri River — cassiterite rockhounding site near Montana, MT

CassiteriteMT

Missouri River

Missouri River is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Cassiterite, Chalcedony, Garnet, Gold, Kyanite, Limonite, Sapphire, Topaz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Pole Creek — garnet rockhounding site near Montana, MT

GarnetMT

Pole Creek

Pole Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Garnet, Gold, Quartz crystals, Ruby, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Salesville — emery rockhounding site near Montana, MT

EmeryMT

Salesville

Salesville is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Emery, Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine — gold rockhounding site near Montana, MT

GoldMT

Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine

Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Gold, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Yellowstone River Sapphire Bars — sapphire rockhounding site near Missoula, MT

SapphireMT

Yellowstone River Sapphire Bars

Alluvial bars along the upper Yellowstone and Missouri headwaters contain placer sapphires eroded from igneous source rocks.

Fee variesMissoula

Yogo Gulch — gold rockhounding site near Montana, MT

GoldMT

Yogo Gulch

Yogo Gulch is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Gold, Ruby, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Balsam Gap Mine — magnesite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

MagnesiteNC

Balsam Gap Mine

Balsam Gap Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Magnesite, Albite, Allanite, Green Beryl, Columbite, Corundum, Garnet, Biotite, Muscovite, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Buck Creek Deposit — chromite rockhounding site near Clay, NC

ChromiteNC

Buck Creek Deposit

Buck Creek Deposit is a historic mining site in Clay, North Carolina, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Chromite, Corundum, Platinum.

Fee variesClay

Burningtown Creek — pink sapphire rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

Pink SapphireNC

Burningtown Creek

Burningtown Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Pink Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Celo Ridge — sapphire rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

SapphireNC

Celo Ridge

Celo Ridge is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Sapphire, Feldspar, Garnet, Kyanite, Mica. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine — ruby rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

RubyNC

Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine

Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Chestnut Knob — white star corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

White Star CorundumNC

Chestnut Knob

Chestnut Knob is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include White Star Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Clubb Mountain — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Clubb Mountain

Clubb Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Lazulite, Gem Kyanite, Damourite, Gold, Garnet, Hematite, Magnetite, Rutile crystals, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Corundum Hill — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Corundum Hill

Corundum Hill is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Chromite, Olivine crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Cowee Creek — garnet rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

GarnetNC

Cowee Creek

Cowee Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Corundum, Beryl, Hornblende, Kyanite, Pyrite, Quartz, Rutile, Staurolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Cowee Valley Ruby Sapphire — corundum rockhounding site near Franklin, NC

CorundumNC

Cowee Valley Ruby Sapphire

Macon County streams and mines in Cowee Valley produce corundum rubies and sapphires in gravels of the Franklin gem capital.

Fee requiredFranklin

Crowder's Mountain — barite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

BariteNC

Crowder's Mountain

Crowder's Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Barite, Chalcopyrite, Corundum, Gold Bearing Galena, Gold, Garnet, Hematite, Limonite, Magnetite, Blue Gem Kyanite, Rutile crystals, Topaz, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Elf — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Elf

Elf is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Amphibolite, Opal, Quartz crystals, Smaragdite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine — ruby rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

RubyNC

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnet, Aventurine, Sodalite, Peridot, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine, Topaz, Tourmaline, Pyrite, Amazonite, Labradorite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Franklin — amethyst rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AmethystNC

Franklin

Franklin is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Amethyst, Bronzite, Epidote, Fibrolite, Garnet, Jasper, Kyanite, Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Ruby, Rutile, Sapphire, Sphalerite, Staurolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Hall Creek And Silver Creek — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Hall Creek And Silver Creek

Hall Creek and Silver Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Diamond, Pyrope Garnet, Rutile crystals, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Higdon Mountain — actinolite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

ActinoliteNC

Higdon Mountain

Higdon Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Actinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite, Corundum, Enstatite, Magnetite, Opal, Quartz crystals, Ruby, Rutile, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Highlands — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Highlands

Highlands is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Almandine Garnet, Quartz crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Little Scaly Mountain — asbestos rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AsbestosNC

Little Scaly Mountain

Little Scaly Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Asbestos, Gem Corundum, Rutile crystals, Serpentine, Vermiculite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Mason Mountain — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Mason Mountain

Mason Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Garnet, Hornblende, Quartz crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Meyer’s Chapel & General Area — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Meyer’s Chapel & General Area

Meyer’s Chapel & General Area is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Montvale — ruby rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

RubyNC

Montvale

Montvale is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

North Toe River — gem kyanite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

Gem KyaniteNC

North Toe River

North Toe River is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Kyanite, Corundum, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Pressley Mine — albite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AlbiteNC

Pressley Mine

Pressley Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Albite, Amphibolite, Corundum, Damourite, Sapphire, Epidote, Garnet, Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Ridgecrest — gem corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

Gem CorundumNC

Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Gem Corundum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Sapphire Lake — sapphire rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

SapphireNC

Sapphire Lake

Sapphire Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

South Yadkin River — beryl rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

BerylNC

South Yadkin River

South Yadkin River is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Beryl, Corundum, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Franklin (minerals) — apatite rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

ApatiteNJ

Franklin (minerals)

Franklin (minerals) is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Apatite, Azurite, Cerussite, Corundum, Franklinite, Galena. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Ringwood — calcite rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

CalciteNJ

Ringwood

Ringwood is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Corundum, Epidote, Garnet, Hornblende, Pyrite, Serpentine, Zircon. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Sparta — chondrodite rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

ChondroditeNJ

Sparta

Sparta is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Chondrodite, Corundum, Ruby, Diopside, Microcline, Tremolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Amity — blue corundum rockhounding site near New York, NY

Blue CorundumNY

Amity

Amity is a documented mineral occurrence near NY. Reported specimens include Blue Corundum, White Corundum, Fluorite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew York

Toddsville — sapphire rockhounding site near New York, NY

SapphireNY

Toddsville

Toddsville is a documented mineral occurrence near NY. Reported specimens include Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew York

Macungie — blue corundum rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Blue CorundumPA

Macungie

Macungie is a documented mineral occurrence near PA. Reported specimens include Blue Corundum, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Marlboroville — agate rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

AgatePA

Marlboroville

Marlboroville is a documented mineral occurrence near PA. Reported specimens include Red Jasper, Brown Jasper, Yellow Jasper, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Abbeville County — beryl rockhounding site near South Carolina, SC

BerylSC

Abbeville County

Abbeville County is a documented mineral occurrence near SC. Reported specimens include Beryl, Corundum, Epidote, Blue Jasper. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Carolina

Bowens River And Tributaries — corundum rockhounding site near South Carolina, SC

CorundumSC

Bowens River And Tributaries

Bowens River and tributaries is a documented mineral occurrence near SC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Quartz crystals, Topaz, Zircon, Amethyst, Rutile. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Carolina

Cherokee County — barite rockhounding site near South Carolina, SC

BariteSC

Cherokee County

Cherokee County is a documented mineral occurrence near SC. Reported specimens include Barite, Hematite, Gem Kyanite, Sillimanite, Corundum, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Carolina

Cooper Gem Mine — sapphire rockhounding site near Blountville, TN

SapphireTN

Cooper Gem Mine

Eastern Tennessee gem gravels near the Tri-Cities produce sapphires and rutile in ancient stream deposits accessible through fee-mine operations.

Fee requiredBlountville

Stuart — garnet rockhounding site near Virginia, VA

GarnetVA

Stuart

Stuart is a documented mineral occurrence near VA. Reported specimens include Almandine Garnet, Staurolite, Corundum, Kyanite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesVirginia

Willis Mountain — kyanite rockhounding site near Virginia, VA

KyaniteVA

Willis Mountain

Willis Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near VA. Reported specimens include Kyanite, Manganese, Apatite, Corundum, Feldspar, Garnet, Hematite, Pyrite, Magnetite, Rutile, Topaz, Zircon. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesVirginia

Tunk Creek — quartz rockhounding site near Washington, WA

QuartzWA

Tunk Creek

Tunk Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Quartz crystals, Blue Corundum, Pink Corundum, Thulite, Plagioclase. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Outgamie County — gem ruby rockhounding site near Wisconsin, WI

Gem RubyWI

Outgamie County

Outgamie County is a documented mineral occurrence near WI. Reported specimens include Gem Ruby, Gem Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWisconsin

Abernathy Deposit #1 — corundum rockhounding site near Fremont, WY

CorundumWY

Abernathy Deposit #1

Abernathy Deposit #1 is a known mineral occurrence in Fremont, Wyoming, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Corundum, Feldspar, Gemstones.

Fee variesFremont

Green Mountain — agate rockhounding site near Wyoming, WY

AgateWY

Green Mountain

Green Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near WY. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Moss Agate, Aventurine, Garnet, Sapphire. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWyoming

Wl Marion & Lb Curtis Jade Claim — corundum rockhounding site near Fremont, WY

CorundumWY

Wl Marion & Lb Curtis Jade Claim

Wl Marion & Lb Curtis Jade Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Fremont, Wyoming, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Corundum, Gemstones.

Fee variesFremont

FAQ

Where can I find sapphires in the United States?

Montana fee digs and gravel washes are the most beginner-friendly sapphire destinations. Use our sapphire map and dig-sites list for GPS and fee notes.

Can I dig sapphires for free?

Most reliable sapphire digging is pay-to-dig. Free public finds are uncommon and often on claimed ground — prefer managed digs.

What should I bring to a sapphire dig?

Water, sun protection, and patience. Many mines rent screens and shovels — confirm on the operator site before you drive.

Related: pay-to-dig sites, agates in the USA, geodes near me.