Better than GOLD?! - Montana's Sapphire Rush

Join me in the latest Rock Record on an exhilarating sapphire panning adventure in one of Montana's historic mining districts!
Uncover the origins of these brilliant gemstones and immerse yourself in the tale of the Great Montana Sapphire Rush of 1865. Experience digging into famed gravel bars like El Dorado, learning to separate coveted sapphires from ordinary rocks. Discover the science behind their hardness and the heat treatment enhancing their colors.
Whether you're a rockhound or traveler, get ready to unearth your own piece of gemstone history!
00:00 Intro
01:06 History of Montana Sapphires
03:29 Let's Dig Some Gravel!
04:15 What Are Sapphires and How do They Form?
07:45 How do you know if a sapphire is a Montana sapphire?
09:26 How to pan the sapphire gravel!
12:58 Heat treating sapphires
14:25 Where to find sapphires in Montana
15:00 Find more information about Missouri River Sapphires
*Please note - this video is not sponsored in any way.

[@rickjohnson6559]

I highly recommend the trip. I went to gem mountain. Look at her face each time she turns a tray over. It's an expression of joy and wonderment. You get that every time you dig all day. Then. Gem mountain had mine heated and faceted. I have 4 wonderful beautiful stones. I want to go back again. Suddenly. Gold is not as fun. ❤❤❤❤

[@minelifemediallc]

Love this! Gem Mountain is a fantastic stop too, that's where I usually go, Philipsburg is such a fun town!

[@rickjohnson6559]

@@minelifemediallc I left a 100$ at the candy shop. Yes folks they make their own candy. And it's a two story shop. Old fashioned candy. For the adults a micro brewery and sevaral family oriented saloons. I had a great burger in the one I went to. And outside of town is a open mine for semi precious stones

[@rikkispence7049]

Congratulations, 400 Subs and 20,000 views, in 4 days.. That is quite the accomplishment 🎉🎉 I wish you great adventures, and continued success !!

[@glynnphillips1576]

What wonderful dog's 😊😊

[@dennishedrick5308]

Gonna be on your West Boarder.. need to get out and see which gems are around...cheers

[@burtonaka___]

Thank you. Bought a strand of them Sapphires-they ranged from dark blue to clear...they coulda been heat-treated...the mineral world has lots of gorgeous rocks, stones, geodes, crystals...

[@glassontherocks]

Southern Oregon here.. We have everything here in gems that you could ever want.

[@minelifemediallc]

I've heard there is some good gem stuff over there! I'll have to make a trip over sometime!

[@kaynefryday1251]

Really , do you have black opal and pink and blue diamonds

[@glassontherocks]

@@kaynefryday1251 Might be The Three Sisters spewed everything here.

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

You don't have Sapphires ,Rubies or Diamonds

[@glassontherocks]

@@deltabluesdavidraye You must be a democrat. You just can't let it go can you? God has scattered it all over for all of us to enjoy. And you want to fuss and bicker. You must have an aggravated life. Look for peace.

[@GPTLaughterLab]

Hey awesome video :) very informative and fun 🎉

[@MhdkhusrinKemilauemas]

Amazing, very good, good lucky

[@minelifemediallc]

It's a ton of fun to find these little treasures!

[@sarahporter9541]

So cute..great info..and we lived in Helena years ago..and went to this mine... such fun..but we didn't get much..that's what mining is..hit or miss..😅

[@minelifemediallc]

It's a great spot!

[@cindyheyns4156]

Looks like alot of fun

[@minelifemediallc]

It's always a nice little day out, fun for all ages for sure!

[@haroldlundy6810]

Enjoyed the video. I have always been a rock hound. Watching from Athens, Georgia

[@minelifemediallc]

Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I'm still new at sharing these videos so it's greatly appreciated!

[@haroldlundy6810]

You done good.

[@bigskyrich3947]

Montana Dawg here

[@vm.999]

Epic

[@TheGoldPanner]

Came across your video while looking up Montana sapphires. I'm going to do a roadtrip down from BC to have a gander for some.

[@minelifemediallc]

So fun! Montana has a ton of great stops!! Depending where you're going, Gem Mountain in Philipsburg is another fun stop and it might be closer for you!

[@IndusRiverRock]

Wow beautiful sharing 😊

[@minelifemediallc]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@pensacolafishin]

Keep up the great content, I wish there were mines closer to NW FL. I'd love to do a family mining weekend.

[@minelifemediallc]

This mine ships "concentrate" all over for an actually pretty reasonable price! It's a fun way to spend a day outside!

[@minelifemediallc]

If you like geology, here is my map of Cool Geology spots! There might be some near you! :) maps.app.goo.gl/UiCrJ7VUQ6jwAQnaA

[@pensacolafishin]

@@minelifemediallc thank you so much, I didn't know Cherokee Ruby mine. It will most definitely be a stop our next trip to TN.

[@minelifemediallc]

@@pensacolafishin love to hear it! I've not been myself but I'm sure it will be a ton of fun!

[@occamsrazor7939]

I would love to scratch around hunting for pretty rocks and gems, but I can't travel that far.

[@minelifemediallc]

You might be able to find some great rock hunting spots near you!

[@jasoncunninghambluejmc]

Subscribed and hit the bell🤗 have you ever tried using black lights on any of the washes out there?

[@minelifemediallc]

Aw thanks! I have a black light but rarely use it, next time I visit this area I might have to take it!

[@bigjm3143]

Like looking for a needle in a hay stack !

[@minelifemediallc]

That makes finding one even more fun! :)

[@jeffwomack5821]

Looks like another thing for the bucket list. If you want your dogs to help dig plant flowers or a garden. How did the bag of concentrates turn out?

[@minelifemediallc]

Their little legs are not much help with digging unfortunately 😂 I saved the rest of my bag for some students to go through, I will report back if they find anything good!!

[@alimin8r201]

Corundum is used to make sandpaper, I know that from years ago.

[@minelifemediallc]

Absolutely! A lot of these hard minerals like diamonds, garnets, and sapphires have a ton of industrial uses like sandpaper!

[@dwarvenaled]

I got some crystals this last three years in PNW, Montana is fun though.

[@tonyaxeman4381]

Hamilton watch company uses them in their Pocket watches . They are used for the pallet fork . They may not be from Montana .

[@lauraschulz5209]

My father in law used to work for Hamilton Watch in Lancaster,Pa

[@dontask8979]

Well done!

[@minelifemediallc]

Aw thank you so much!

[@toofragile825]

a very informative sponsored video

[@minelifemediallc]

Not sponsored in any way but thanks!

[@hardyakka6200]

Isn,t there a public fossicing area?. And the have to be heated?

[@minelifemediallc]

They don't have to be heated, it's just common! This one isn't public it's family run, but you might be able to find some public spaces!

[@corruptduboiscountyindiana5058]

blood sapphires

[@maximmusr6016]

Has anyone ever told you how much you look like Sarah Snook?

[@minelifemediallc]

I've heard it a couple of times! I think it's the rounder face and lighter reddish hair? 🤔

[@tywatts7834]

What is your dog's name

[@dontask8979]

Sargent Dan 😉

[@minelifemediallc]

Finally someone asks the important questions 🤣🤣 I have two, the chunky one is Hazel and the thinner one is Gracie 🤣

[@MrAspden]

Yea let’s just post everything on social media so everyone knows and comes and destroys all the land and rivers again like they did in the gold rush.

[@minelifemediallc]

The place here is literally a family run business that relies on tourism dollars to feed their families. Not any trade secrets here 👍

[@kaynefryday1251]

Most Montana sapphire are ugly teals

[@minelifemediallc]

Aw I like the teals! My favorite Montana ones are the Yogos of course, I have a video on those specifically in the works 👀

[@daniedevite6781]

Boring

[@GramCanyonSam]

Follow you on tiktok just found you're YT !

[@minelifemediallc]

Aw that's so cool!! The KZbin is very new, I'm trying to challenge myself to make one longer video each month to improve my content skills 😂