Where to Find Sapphire
59 mapped sapphire spots across 18 regions in 3 countries. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Sapphire is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Every mapped sapphire spot
Best spotBowens River and tributariesCherokee County, South CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Garnet, Sapphire +6
Best spotAmerican BarLewis and Clark County, MontanaPublic access · Sapphire, Cassiterite, Chalcedony +5- Best spotRock CreekGranite County, MontanaPublic access · Quartz, Sapphire
- Best spotDry Cottonwood CreekDeer Lodge County, MontanaPublic access · Sapphire
Elijah Mountain Gem MineHenderson County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald +15- FranklinMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Amethyst, Bronzite, Epidote +11
- Higdon MountainMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Actinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite +10
- Champion Mine DumpMarquette County, MichiganPublic access · Hematite, Sapphire, Sericite +9
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire +8
- Emerald Hollow MineAlexander County, North CarolinaPublic access · Emerald, Aquamarine, Sapphire +8
- Balsam Gap MineJackson County, North CarolinaPublic access · Magnesite, Albite, Allanite +7
- Cabonga ReservoirLa Vallée-de-l'Or, QuébecPublic access · Amazonite, Labradorite, Almandine +5
- Missouri RiverLewis and Clark County, MontanaPublic access · Cassiterite, Chalcedony, Garnet +5
- Pressley MineHaywood County, North CarolinaPublic access · Albite, Amphibolite, Corundum +5
AnakieQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon, Ruby +4- EldoradoVictoriaPermission required · Gold, Topaz, Sapphire +4
- Cherokee CountyCherokee County, South CarolinaPublic access · Barite, Hematite, Kyanite +3
- Harts RangeNorthern TerritoryPublic access · Sapphire, Ruby, Beryl +3
- Mason Mtn Garnet MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Rhodolite, Garnet, Ruby +3
- Reedy CreekVictoriaPermission required · Gold, Sapphire, Topaz +3
- Celo RidgeYancey County, North CarolinaPublic access · Sapphire, Feldspar, Garnet +2
- Green MountainFremont County, WyomingCheck locally · Banded Agate, Moss Agate, Aventurine +2
- Pole CreekMadison County, MontanaPermission required · Garnet, Gold, Quartz +2
- Sapphire Central Fossicking AreaQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon, Topaz +2
- Weld RiverTasmaniaPublic access · Sapphire, Topaz, Zircon +2
- Beluga Sapphire PropertyQikiqtaaluk Region, NunavutPermission required · Sapphire, Corundum, Scapolite +1
- Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet +1
- Glen InnesNew South WalesPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon, Topaz +1
- MarlborovilleMontgomery County, PennsylvaniaPublic access · Red Jasper, Brown Jasper, Yellow Jasper +1
- Ruby Hill Fossicking ReserveNew South WalesPermission required · Garnet Group, Almandine, Pyrope +1
- Blue ValleyMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Blue Corundum, Sapphire, Almandine Garnet
- DerbyTasmaniaPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon, Spinel
- Mason's Ruby & Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaFee dig · Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet
- North Toe RiverYancey County, North CarolinaPublic access · Kyanite, Corundum, Sapphire
- Orofino CreekClearwater County, IdahoPublic access · Gold, Sapphire, Epidote
- StanleyCuster County, IdahoPermission required · Corundum, Gold, Sapphire
- Yogo GulchJudith Basin County, MontanaPublic access · Gold, Ruby, Sapphire
- Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire MineMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- InverellNew South WalesPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- MacungieLehigh County, PennsylvaniaPublic access · Blue Corundum, Sapphire
- MontvaleChatham County, North CarolinaPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- Outgamie CountyBrown County, WisconsinPublic access · Ruby, Sapphire
- Pressley MineHaywood County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Sapphire
- Reddestone CreekNew South WalesPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- River Near Lake MartinTallapoosa County, AlabamaCheck locally · Ruby, Sapphire
- Rubyvale Fossicking AreaQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- Scrub Lead Fossicking AreaQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- Spokane Bar Sapphire MineLewis and Clark County, MontanaPublic access · Gold, Sapphire
- The Willows GemfieldsQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- Tomahawk CreekQueenslandPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- Wellingrove Fossicking AreaNew South WalesPermission required · Sapphire, Zircon
- Blaze N GemsLewis and Clark County, MontanaFee dig · Sapphire
- Brown’s GulchSilver Bow County, MontanaPublic access · Sapphire
- Chalk Creek gravelsChaffee County, ColoradoPublic access · Sapphire
- Chandlers CreekNew South WalesPermission required · Sapphire
- Gem MountainMadison County, MontanaFee dig · Sapphire
- Gem Mountain Sapphire MineGranite County, MontanaPublic access · Sapphire
- Sapphire LakeJackson County, North CarolinaPublic access · Sapphire
- ToddsvilleOtsego County, New YorkPublic access · Sapphire
Top regions for sapphire
United States
40 spots · 11 regionsAustralia
17 spots · 5 regionsSapphire rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find sapphire?+
North Carolina, Montana, Idaho have the highest concentrations of sapphire in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many sapphire rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
59 mapped spots across 18 regions in 3 countries. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect sapphire on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like sapphire is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify sapphire in the field?+
Field identification of sapphire comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt sapphire on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
