news | March 29, 2026

Where can you mine for sapphires?

One of the most productive mining regions in the world for sapphires, follow along as we discover what makes Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos a group of powerhouses for gem-quality sapphires. A selection of natural sapphire crystal rough.

Where are blue sapphires mined?

In North America, sapphires have been mined mostly from deposits in Montana: fancies along the Missouri River near Helena, Montana, Dry Cottonwood Creek near Deer Lodge, Montana, and Rock Creek near Philipsburg, Montana. Fine blue Yogo sapphires are found at Yogo Gulch west of Lewistown, Montana.

Where are sapphires found in Australia?

In Australia, sapphire is found in a number of east coast localities, from north Queensland to north-east Tasmania. The largest and most economic deposits are found in the New England area, New South Wales, around Inverell and Glen Innes, and in central Queensland, around Anakie and Rubyvale.

Are Australian sapphires good quality?

As one of the most durable gemstones with a hardness of nine on Mohs’ scale, sapphires are ideal for everyday wear and can be set in any material, from platinum to 18-carat gold. As a result, they are a popular choice for engagement rings, often accented with white diamonds.

How much are sapphires worth in Australia?

Sapphire – Australian

NameCutPrice
Australian Sapphire Blue Marquise 0.68 caratsmarquise$598.40 incl.GST
Australian Sapphire Blue Oval 0.91 caratsOval$938.44 incl.GST
Australian Sapphire Blue Oval 1.17 caratsOval$1,029.60 incl.GST
Australian Sapphire Blue Oval 2.66 caratsOval$3,657.50 incl.GST

How can you tell a Yogo sapphire?

Yogo sapphires are unique in that they are free of cavities and inclusions, have high uniform clarity, lack color zoning, and do not need heat treating because their cornflower blue coloring is uniform and deep. Unlike Asian sapphires, they maintain their brilliance in artificial light.

How much is a 1 carat Ceylon sapphire worth?

Leibish & Co have a range of high-quality sapphires, mostly from Sri Lanka. A 1 carat sapphire here costs around $1,000-1,600.

How much do blue sapphires cost?

Sapphire prices can range greatly, depending on many factors. Sapphires can come as cheap as $25 per carat, to over $11,000 per carat. A blue sapphire around 1 carat is likely to cost from as little as $450 to $1,600, depending on quality.