Gemstone of the Week: Yogo Sapphire

The Yogo Montana sapphire holds the title of the most rare and precious gemstone in the United States. Situated in the Yogo gulch near Lewiston, Montana, this gem stands out for its natural beauty, boasting a distinctive bright brilliant cornflower blue to purple hue. A unique feature of the Yogo sapphire is its untouched nature; it is one of the few gemstones globally that is guaranteed to be completely untreated. However, acquiring these gems is becoming increasingly difficult as they are no longer actively mined. Despite this, a few individuals residing near the mining area retain personal claims, allowing them to mine their own rough sapphires. With a hardness rating of 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, these sapphires are durable enough for daily wear. If you covet a piece of Montana's history and natural beauty, the Yogo sapphire is a treasure worth seeking out.