Treasures in Virginia City – Jewelry and Gemstones

Find Your Treasure in Our Stone Shops and Jewelers

The mining history of our town runs deep. It’s no wonder that today Virginia City is a legacy destination for jewelry and stone treasures. Our mountain town was a 19th-century mining bonanza and once the most important industrial city between Denver and San Francisco. The reason for Virginia City’s boom was the discovery of a lode of silver and gold in 1859. Named after its discoverer Henry Comstock, the Comstock Lode produced more than $700 million in mined silver and gold. While the vibrant mining metropolis days may be history, this remains a quaint must-see historical mountain town where this heritage of silver and gold offers jewelry collectors a chance of discovery of their own.

A stroll down C Street, the town’s main drag, reveals nine different jewelry stores, stone shops, a world-class mineral and gem museum, and minting operations. You can browse a selection of estate jewelry, antique jewelry, gems, stones, Native American pieces and custom designs. For a complete list of the shops and locations, click here.

Among the jewelry and stone merchants are some of our most beloved craftsmen. Dave Abel of The Highlander brings forty years of experience to his craft as a jeweler, creating one-of-a-kind pieces designed with an artistic flare and authenticity. Facet & Co. was founded with the belief that jewelry is personal. All jewelry repairs and design work happen onsite where shoppers can interact one-on-one with Joe, the designer and shop owner. Visitors to the Silver Stope are initially drawn by distinctive Native American jewelry but will be surprised by a treasure trove of the finest quality motorcycle leather.

Virginia City is ranked among the nation’s top twelve most distinctive destinations and with that welcomes more than a million visitors a year. Jewelry and stone hunters can easily plan a day trip to Virginia City while visiting Reno and Lake Tahoe. Virginia City is located a short 30-minute scenic drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and about an hour drive from Incline Village, Nevada, and just under an hour from South Lake Tahoe. If you’re looking to soak in Virginia City’s historic charm for more than a day, you can choose from bed and breakfasts, historic hotels, and motels. For more information on where to stay, click here.