Montana Sapphire - A Brief History

A truly unique gemstone, the Montana sapphire differs from other gemstones in its origins and appearance. Created by volcanic activity, Montana sapphires are also mined in no other place than their namesake, the state of Montana. Known as one of the rarest colored gems on earth, these sapphires can be identified by their vibrant teal blue, green and purple hues. Learn about how this stone is created and how to identify it with this article on Montana Sapphires - A Brief History.

Introduction

Montana sapphires are much more rare than their precious counterparts, making them some of today’s most sought-after gems. With that said, most jewelers aren’t even aware of Montana sapphires because they rarely see them come through their stores. This makes finding a pair of Montana sapphire earrings or necklace a special occasion. 

How do you mine Montana Sapphire?

Montana Sapphire is mined in two ways. The first way is by hand or with a shovel or pickaxe. Digging for gemstones like sapphire and opal can be one of most exciting activities in Montana. Gem hunters don’t want to bother with heavy, expensive equipment, so they use small tools to dig along creek beds and tributaries where they are likely to find gems. This method is called alluvial mining. It’s not uncommon to spend hours digging for just a few dollars worth of sapphires and other gems. 

There is also hard rock mining that goes on at Rock Creek mine at Ruby Mountain near Helena, Montana. This method involves using high-tech drills, explosives and machines that weigh up to 40 tons! The resulting rubble gets separated into rocks, which are then examined closely by experienced miners who know what they should look for under microscopes.

Yogo Gulch Sapphire Mine

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One of most noted locations in Montana for sapphire deposits is Yogo Gulch, located in Stillwater County. More than 10,000 people flocked to Yogo Gulch between 1916 and 1920 looking for sapphires. While Montana is best known for its diamond deposits, there are more than 100 known locations throughout Montana that have produced gem-quality gemstones. Yogo sapphires are notable for their deep purple and blue hues.  They're some of the rarest and most expensive of the Montana Sapphires.  Sapphires found in this mine are typically smaller inn size, averaging around 4mm in size.

New discoveries in Sapphire mines

If you’re looking for a beautiful and durable gemstone that embodies Montana, look no further than sapphire. Despite its relative newcomer status in Montana (the first large-scale mines were established during World War II), sapphire mining has played an important role in the state’s history for more than a century. According to recent discoveries made by historians and government officials, there are several undocumented sapphire deposits throughout Montana—meaning there are even more opportunities for those who want to mine here! Sapphire is known as one of the rarest colors in gemstones; it usually takes many tons of material to extract just one ounce of pure blue. The mineral corundum is present everywhere but only yields sapphires when titanium impurities create a blue hue.

How are they mined today?

Montana sapphires are mined in a quarry, just like any other gem. The only major difference is that Montana has some very large deposits of these sapphires, meaning one quarry can account for thousands of tons of stones. And since it takes 10 tons to make a single ounce of stone, that's a lot! When they reach their final color and cut, you can't really tell where they came from.

How much does a gemstone cost?

The price of a gemstone is a function of a number of factors, but color and clarity are generally at the top of that list. Without other qualifications, sapphire prices can vary widely: blue sapphires can range from $100 per carat for low-quality stones to several thousand dollars per carat for high-quality gems. Violet sapphires or pinkish-orange corundum (ruby) will fetch even higher values.

Are blue sapphires better than other colors?

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The short answer is, no!  It’s often said that blue sapphires are stronger and more valuable than other colors of sapphire; that is largely a myth.  The best sapphire color is the one that you love the most.  Blue sapphires are popular with jewelers and consumers because of their bright color and relative ease of production. Because of these factors, a lot of blue sapphires come onto the market. This volume gives them greater availability at lower prices. But most would agree: given equal quality and cut, any color will be just as lovely! And it's worth noting that all colored gems vary slightly in tone from stone to stone, making each colored sapphire completely unique and special.

Conclusion

Montana sapphires are actually mined in Montana, a place you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find a gemstone of such value. The Montana sapphires we use in our collections are mined, sorted and cut by small family owned and operated mines throughout the state.

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Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing