Maybe you find yourself drawn to the uniqueness of a Montana sapphire, maybe, it’s its homegrown nature, or deep lore. Whatever the case, you’re currently considering a Montana sapphire as the centerpiece of your engagement ring. And honestly, we’re thrilled. We love the deep hued colors and spiritual benefits of this beautiful stone! 

However, if we’re being honest, a Montana sapphire might not be for everyone. That’s right. There are actually some people we would advise against owning a Montana sapphire. But are you one of them? Read on to find out if a Montana sapphire might not be for you. 

REASON 1: HAVING AN ETHICALLY SOURCED GEMSTONE ISN’T IMPORTANT TO YOU 

 

 

Blood diamond this, conflict stone that. If you find yourself constantly overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion with talks of sourcing an ethical gemstone you’re not going to like Montana sapphires. See, as their name might suggest, Montana sapphires are mined in Montana, usually from small-scale mining operations that prioritize responsible mining practices for both the environment and community. 

In fact, the area in which most Montana sapphires are mined from is known for its stringent mining guidelines and regulations in which: 

 

• Any water released from the mines must be drinking quality 
• Any topsoil that was destroyed is put back and new vegetation is replanted
• All miners are trained and the mining operations undergo frequent inspections 

 

So yeah, if you couldn’t give a flip about ethical mining practices or workers rights then your money might be better spent elsewhere. 

REASON 2: YOU WANT AN ULTRA-EXPENSIVE GEMSTONE

Do you prefer champagne only when it’s French? What about  expensive vacations or clothes? Not because of the quality-but because spending more is always more. Montana sapphires are stunning yet affordable gemstones-so if you love spending money to spend money, a Montana sapphire is certainly not for you.

For example, let’s compare the cost of a natural Montana sapphire to a natural diamond. A  round brilliant, natural diamond can set you back anywhere from $2,200 to $8,200 depending on the specific characteristics of the stone and the online retailer selling it. A round brilliant Montana sapphire at Olivia Ewing Jewelry, however, is much more affordable at just $1,950. Think about it, with those savings you could really splash out on the honeymoon or wedding band. Or, not -if you prefer buying $8,200 diamonds we do not judge. 

 

REASON 3: GEMSTONE RARITY JUST ISN’T YOUR THING

 

 

You know what’s overblown? Rarity. Just think about it, why would you get something that is totally unique and that no one else has? Trends exist for a reason! And Montana sapphires? They’re one of the most rare and unique gems you can find. For starters, Montana sapphires are the only US-sourced sapphires on the market. This, coupled with the deep hues and playful colors, make Montana sapphires over 1 carat extremely rare. And when you add in a one-of-a-kind nature inspired setting? That’s practically a one in a million engagement ring. 

 

REASON 4: YOU THINK YOU LOOK BETTER IN WARM TONES

 

 

While Montana sapphires are available in nearly every color of the rainbow, you’ll often find that most are a lovely shade of blue, green, or teal. These deep colors are purported to help calm the wearer and inspire creativity. But if you think you look better in warmer-toned stones (like warm citrine, red Oregon Sunstone, or yellow rutiliated quartz) you might be out of luck. And sure, you can play with the setting of your Montana sapphire engagement ring by opting for a warm yellow or rose gold, but will that really set-off that deeply luscious cool tone? You might as well try your luck elsewhere. 

YOU DON’T NEED TO GO TO MONTANA TO FIND A MONTANA SAPPHIRE

So there you have it. Our top four reasons why you might have to reconsider the Montana sapphire for your engagement ring. Not scared off? Good, us too. We love these gemstones and love working with them. If you’re ready to find your ideal Montana sapphire ring browse by gemstone and sort from rough or cut Montana sapphires. Want something even more unique? Design your own perfect engagement ring by selecting a sapphire and matching it with a unique setting. Because at Olivia Ewing Jewelry, when it comes to engagement rings, the sky really is the limit. 

 

FAQS ABOUT MONTANA SAPPHIRES 

WHAT IS A MONTANA SAPPHIRE? 

A Montana sapphire is a type of sapphire that is grown and mined exclusively in Montana. Most often, these sapphires are stunningly blue or green toned with some even appearing as parti colored (two toned). Like the rest of the sapphire family, Montana sapphires are corundums and hit a 9 on the Mohs Scale. This means that they are an excellent choice for engagement rings and can be worn daily without fear of chipping, breaking, or scratching. 

WHERE CAN I BUY MONTANA SAPPHIRES? 

Why, from Olivia Ewing Jewelry of course. We offer a massive variety of ethically sourced Montana Sapphires in an assortment of stunning hues and cuts. And, if you like the idea of a sapphire from Montana you’ll love our settings that are inspired by the grand beauty of the wilderness. Some are even cast from real organic foraged twigs. The result is a competitively priced and beautiful Montana sapphire engagement ring that is sure to be cherished forever. 

 

HOW DO I FIND SAPPHIRES IN MONTANA?

Want to mine your own Montana Sapphires? Right on! We recommend checking out the creeks and tributaries in the area labeled “Sapphire Mountain”. Of course, this can be a lot of work and might mean sifting through piles and piles of silt and rocks to no avail. So if you’re interested in cutting out the grunt work, you can always buy a loose stone from us. 

 

ARE MONTANA SAPPHIRES VALUABLE?

As with other gemstones, including diamonds, Montana sapphires aren’t so much valuable in a financial sense as they are in a sentimental sense. Think of it this way, sapphires and other gemstones have to pass through many hands to get to your finger. When you pay for that stone you’re also paying for its way through those hands. And if you try to turn that sapphire in to flip a profit, you might just be out of luck. 

That’s not to say Montana sapphires can’t be valuable though. A cushion cut 12.54 Montana sapphire was auctioned at Sootheby’s in 2015 and was estimated to go for between $300,000-$500,000. 

 

 

Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing