Montana sapphires from Helena, Montana; photo by Orbital Joe on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).
Official State Gemstone of Montana
Montana designated the sapphire as an official state gem stone in 1969. All State Gems & Gemstones
Montana's sapphires (mostly found in western Montana) look like bright-blue glass and are cut like diamonds to make jewelry. Sapphires, which were thrown away by miners in the gold rush days, are now the most valuable gemstones found in America. Montana sapphires can be found in the Royal Crown Jewels of England.
The Montana Council of Rock and Mineral Clubs asked the legislature to declare both the sapphire and the Montana Agate as Montana’s official state gemstones.
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