How can you tell a Yogo Sapphire?
- While the color of Yogo Sapphires is always a vivid blue, Montana sapphires are found with different colors including green and yellow.
- While there are productive sapphire mines in other parts of Montana, they rarely produce blue sapphires that have the striking color and clarity of those found in the Yogo Gulch.
Why are Montana sapphires so expensive? Due to the limited resources for the Montana sapphires, a majority of the natural Montana sapphires will be under 1ct. To be specific, the majority is under 1/2ct and a very limited supply of the sapphires are over 1ct, which makes the stone substantially more expensive per carat.
Accordingly What is so special about Montana sapphire? One of the most striking differences is their color. Sapphires from Montana are unique in that they naturally occur in light pastels, unique blue-greens, and smoky grays. So, a Montana sapphire could be a calming leaf green or a sky blue-grey.
Besides, Is a Montana sapphire a real sapphire? A Montana sapphire is, simply, a sapphire from Montana. Yogo sapphires are also Montana sapphires, but originate from a particular deposit known for its excellent cornflower blue color. Both sapphires and rubies are gem-quality corundum. Rubies are the red variety, while all other colors are sapphires.
What is Peacock sapphire? The term “Peacock Sapphire,” simply refers to the glorious blue green hue of a Montana sapphire, which is similar to the colorful feathers of a peacock. And while these unique sapphires are a class all their own, their crystal structure composition is the same as a classic cobalt sapphire, made from corundum.
Do Montana sapphires change color?
Some Montana sapphires from the Missouri River deposit can show color change. Color change in these sapphires results from the trace element vanadium. Often, they appear blue in daylight and violet to purple in incandescent light. Pale colors shift from sky blue to lavender.
What state is known for sapphires?
Montana is known as the Treasure State because it is rich in many mineral and gemstone sources, including two types of sapphires: the Yogo Sapphire from the central area of the state, and Fancy Montana Sapphires found mostly in the western half of the state.
How do I clean a Montana sapphire?
The best way to clean your sapphire jewelry is with warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding soaking the stone. Always avoid harsh detergents, and never clean your jewelry with solvents such as alcohol, acetone or paint thinner.
Are Montana sapphires good quality?
Unique colors, high clarity, USA-born status, and great durability make Montana Sapphires shine. Montana Sapphires are part of the larger gem family “corundum.” Corundum is a hard stone, at a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, making it very durable to wear in jewelry.
Is a Montana sapphire the same as a Yogo Sapphire?
While the color of Yogo Sapphires is always a vivid blue, Montana sapphires are found with different colors including green and yellow. While there are productive sapphire mines in other parts of Montana, they rarely produce blue sapphires that have the striking color and clarity of those found in the Yogo Gulch.
Where can I mine Yogo sapphires?
Montana Yogo sapphire deposit Yogo sapphires are mined in Montana at Yogo Gulch, 12 miles southwest of Utica, 45 miles west-southwest of Lewistown and east of Great Falls. The yogo sapphire mine site resides inside Judith Basin County and was carved out from parts of western Ferguson and eastern Cascade counties.
Are Montana sapphires worth anything?
Typical Montana sapphire can cost anywhere from $250-$1500 per carat for under 1/2ct to upwards of $7000 per carat for larger than 5 carats. Price is dependent on the quality of the gemstone (i.e. color, clarity, cut, and carat).
Are Montana sapphires rare?
Are Montana Sapphires Rare? Montana sapphire is not found in very large rough pieces. Considering that a rough nugget will yield a cut stone only about 1/3 of the original size means that large, fine quality faceted Montana sapphires are very rare.
What is a red sapphire called?
Red corundum is known as ruby and all other colored corundum (including colorless, or white sapphire as it is known in the trade) is sapphire, although blue is the most well-known.
Can you mine your own sapphire?
Sapphires are mined throughout the world. And in the U.S., they’re mined mainly in Montana. Hobbyists can mine for sapphires near Helena and Philipsburg.
Where can I find Yogo sapphires?
The major deposits found in Montana are in the Yogo Gulch in central Montana, the Missouri River near Helena, Dry Cottonwood Creek near Deer Lodge, and the Rock Creek deposit in the Sapphire Mountains near Philipsburg.
What is special about Montana sapphire?
One of the most striking differences is their color. Sapphires from Montana are unique in that they naturally occur in light pastels, unique blue-greens, and smoky grays. So, a Montana sapphire could be a calming leaf green or a sky blue-grey.
Are Montana sapphires valuable?
Typical Montana sapphire can cost anywhere from $250-$1500 per carat for under 1/2ct to upwards of $7000 per carat for larger than 5 carats. Price is dependent on the quality of the gemstone (i.e. color, clarity, cut, and carat).
What are Montana sapphires called?
Yogo sapphires are also Montana sapphires, but originate from a particular deposit known for its excellent cornflower blue color. Both sapphires and rubies are gem-quality corundum. Rubies are the red variety, while all other colors are sapphires.
