Montana Sapphires come in over 38 different colors, and are among some of the world's most beautiful sapphires!

One hundred thirty seven years after the initial discovery, Montana remains North America's most significant source of gem sapphire. Huge sapphire reserves are still know to exist within four major areas of Montana.

Mining in the mid 1990's produced more than 4 million carats of gem quality Montana sapphire rough. This production has thus far yielded more than one million superbly faceted and calibrated Montana sapphires, which are available today to the international jewelry trade. Most of these stones are small, but jewelry designers and manufactureres have welcomed their high brilliance, and wide range of colors.

A remarkable feature of the sapphire is its hardness - except for diamond it is the hardest natural stone in the world. Fine sapphires, like fine diamonds are rare. As with diamond, the quality and value of a sapphire are determined by factors commonly known as "The Four C's" that is, Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight. As a rough stone, Montana sapphire appears dull and glassy, but when properly cut, the luster can approach that of a dimond.

Sapphires and Rubies are both corrundum. When different impurities appear in the mineral, different colors are created. Iron and titanium cause sapphires to be blue, chromium makes for a red stone (ruby), and Iron makes for a yellow gem.

Most sapphires contain titanium oxide, an impurity that creates a hazy appearance in the gem. when these stones are heated to very high temperatures, the titanium crystals dissolve into the surrounding minerals and reveal the gemstone's natural brilliance.