Gemology of Montana Sapphires

Rock Creek sapphires are found in abundance and come in a multitude of colors. Smaller in size than Missouri River sapphires, these more rounded sapphires are found in an assortment of colors: greens, light blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges. These stones respond very well to heat-treating, producing an amazing array of intense colors. Some of the stones transform into intense blue colors. It is very easy to distinguish these heat-treated stones from natural Yogo Sapphires. Sizes for Rock Creek sapphires are generally one carat and less. Stones of three to five carats are rare but occasionally found.

Dry Cottonwood sapphires are very similar in nature to the sapphires from Rock Creek. This site is a much smaller deposit than Rock Creek.

*Heat-treating is the process of heating sapphires to near the melting point to improve color and/or clarity. The vast majority of sapphires and rubies worldwide are enhanced this way. It is a permanent process of changing the stone. Standard heat-treating is generally accepted in the gem industry for the processing of sapphires. The Gem Gallery supports full disclosure of any treating process used on any gemstone. Our natural Yogo Sapphires and untreated fancy colored Montana Sapphires are separated and identified for exactly what they are. The Gem Gallery can offer you the best of these stones, totally natural Yogo Sapphires and treated and untreated fancy colored Montana Sapphires. Both are treasures from Montana, the Treasure State.