The sleepy-yet-bright personality of a beautifully cut Montana Sapphire is like nothing else in the gemstone world. Here’s my run down of the must-knows about this gem:
What is a Montana Sapphire?
Interestingly, there is only one state in the USA where Sapphires are found, and that is Montana. The small handful of gem mining areas in the state are the treasure trove for what are affectionately called Montana Sapphires.
What colours are Montana Sapphires?
The Montana region generally reveals Sapphires in pastel shades of blue and green gems, very different to the rich royal blue commonly you generally think of as ‘Sapphire’. More rarely, other colour Sapphires are found in Montana, such as purples, pinks and yellows.
Sapphires found in Montana are often quite small compared to other Sapphire regions of the world. Though what they lack in size? They make up for in clarity, producing a large propotion of ‘eye clean’ faceted gems.
Heat treatment is common in all types of Sapphires, but especially so with Montana Sapphires. Rough from this area is generally pale in colour, so heat treatment is often used to deepen it to a beautiful shade. If you find a Montana Sapphire with a naturally beautiful colour, without heat treatment? You’re onto something very special indeed.
What types of jewellery are Montana Sapphires suitable for?
Like Sapphires from other areas, Montana Sapphires are a durable gemstone, with enough ‘hardness’ and ‘toughness’ to generally be suitable for an engagement ring.
They make excellent statement pieces on their own, though given their small size, are often complemented with other gemstones to create a beautiful design.
Are Montana Sapphires ethical gemstones?
Montana Sapphires are often turned to as an ethical choice of gemstone for two main reasons. First, Sapphires here are found in ‘alluvial’ deposits along the Missouri River, which means it’s less damaging to retrieve them than other types of gemstone deposits. Second, mining regulations in the USA are strict, which keep mining operations in check.
